BUYING A REFURBISHED
COMPUTER
Refurbished IT Equipment can offer individuals and organisations
access to facilities that otherwise they would not be able to afford.
For some even the most basic new equipment costs too much. For
others better quality, higher specification refurbished equipment is a preferable
choice to new, low price alternatives. In addition there are environmental benefits
associated with reuse making refurbished equipment an attractive option.
There are, however, some important things you should consider
when purchasing refurbished equipment:
Technical Specifications: Don't be overly concerned with
the technical specifications of the computer. Focus instead on what you want to
do with it. e.g. office tasks such as word processing or spreadsheets email &
web-surfing, advanced or basic graphic design, sound manipulation, web-site design
etc. Will it be able to carry out the tasks you want_
Software: Without the right software your computer can't
do anything! Check to see what software comes bundled with it and if it is the
right kind that you need to do what you have in mind. Otherwise be prepared to
find the right software.
How well will the Computer you are thinking of buying be
able to carry out the tasks you want_: The key question you need to ask is
can the computer adequately run the software you wish to use_ Remember any computer
running a particular operating system (usually Windows, Linux or Mac OS) can run
any piece of software that another can. The only difference will be speed of operation
which will be determined by the computers hardware specifications, mainly the
amount of memory (RAM), motherboard type, Hard Disk size and processor (CPU) speed.
Often the difference in speed of operation between a higher priced computer and
a much cheaper one is marginal. Ask yourself if the more expensive one is necessary
if all it results in is to make a piece of software run just that little bit faster.
Electrical Safety: Has the item you are thinking of buying
been checked for electrical safety_ If in doubt ask.
Internet Access: If you wish to use the Internet, does
it come with a modem_ Either 'internal' or 'external' is ok but the speed needs
to be the highest possible, i.e. look for one 56k (just look for that number,
ignore the other technical information you might get about modems). Even if the
price is greater it will be worth it as you would eventually pay far more than
this in extra time & money as a result of using a slower modem which makes your
internet connection slower and restrict the speed at which you can surf the web
and download information - the phone bill would be larger too!
Is the Computer Installed with the right software & Configured
for Internet & Email Access_ Ask the vendor / seller to do this for you if
they can. Otherwise, particularly if you are a new or novice user doing this by
yourself can be difficult.
Upgradeability: Many parts of computers of can be upgraded
e.g. hard disks, memory (RAM), modems and CPUs . This means you may well be able
to improve your computer in the future without having to buy a new one. However
not all computers are capable of being upgraded. Check the maximum capabilities
of the motherboard, as this will affect how fast a processor and how much and
type of memory that can be fitted.
PC Types: You do not want to end up buying a machine
that is at the end of its life-span if you are thinking about using it for more
advanced purposes in the future. Don't get suckered with a computer that can't
or cannot be made to cope with the tasks you intend to give it.
- Pentium I - or the equivalent AMD CPU called the K5
- came to an end with a top speed of 200-233 Mhz. That means that if you need
a computer to manage more than this (i.e. anything other than simple office tasks
and internet/email usage), then a more recent PC is for you.
- Pentium II - or the AMD K6 - started at 200Mhz and rose
to 500Mhz and more recent motherboards allow for faster modern RAM and the use
of demanding operating systems like Windows 2000, more recent graphics packages,
etc. Can do most things adequately.
- Pentium III - or Athlon chips go from about 400-500
Mhz right up to the superfast gigahertz range on sale from any shop today that
can do nearly all tasks more than adequately.
Thinking Ahead: What will you have need for in your computer
in the next year or so_ If you can, plan for this by buying one above the minimum
specifications you need but don't pay for one that is significantly higher in
terms of its specification unless you need such a computer straight away as the
cost will always fall for the higher priced one in time. Computers have a very
high deprecation rate! PC or Mac_ Don't believe the hype about Macs being better
than PC's or PCs being better than Macs! Just pick the computer which suits your
needs the best.
Cost: If you feel the price is too high, negotiate with
the seller.
Is it Guaranteed & for How Long_ Most second-use refurbished
computers come with 6 month return to base guarantees, however since it can prove
costly and time consuming to return a malfunctioning item, do ask the seller /
vendor about their general assistance and replacement policies to determine how
helpful they might be under such circumstances.
Consumer Rights: Remember all your normal consumer rights
apply!
Be Thorough: Check out all the items on offer.
Don't miss a great bargain!