[AT] OT - Refurbished computers

Tue Dec 27 22:58:41 PST 2016

For many years I've been buying off-lease refurb (and non-refurb used)
laptops.  The "business class" machines that get leased out (by Lenovo, HP,
and Dell, mostly) are built sturdier, and in greater numbers, and when they
go off-lease, the market is flooded, so prices are good, as long as the
power of a 3-year-old machine works for you (and you're not getting
something for the teens to play the latest games on.)  I have been a Dell
guy but recently have had some failures that have me looking around for
other options, so I may take a look at Lenovo or HP.  I'm afraid that Lenovo
will be harder to work on (they do pack a LOT into a very tiny space.)  My
success rate for laptop repairs started out poor, and has dropped as the
years pass.  Now I can buy a new motherboard, and when installed, the
machine just won't boot, and I can't say if it's the board I bought or
something I did.  Just not worth trying anymore.  Replacing a broken screen
or keyboard are about my speed now.

I've had great luck buying off eBay, both new and refurb.  My boss was
looking for a laptop for me, I first pointed him to the Dell outlet site,
but then I found a brand new machine on eBay, wholesaled out from the Dell
Outlet, for less than I could get it from Dell.

I guess I'll go see what the main models of Lenovo lease machines are out
there, and get familiar with them.  I'm well acquainted with the Dell
Latitude line, as well as some of the Precision machines.

Some of the new laptops will let you have two drives, one "regular size"
drive and one an M.2 "stick".  This means that you can boot off of a speedy
512GB SSD, but have a 2TB platter drive for the big data needs (or video,
whatever.)  I thought I was getting that in an "outlet" laptop I got from my
boss, but when it showed up, it had the bigger battery in it, which takes up
the space for the hard drive inside the machine.  So I had to buy a 1TB SSD
"stick" (and the 256GB "stick" it came with is inside a SATA enclosure now,
waiting to be used in something.)

My wife has always used PCs, but wanted to try a MacBook, because of her
love for her iPhone and iPad.  So she bought a refurb from a family friend,
and after a couple months trial (bought it for $350, it's not the latest but
was upgraded with SSD and max RAM) she has decided she doesn't want to deal
with Mac, she hates the single mouse button/touchpad button.  Just endlessly
frustrated with it, irreconcilable differences, so to speak.  So I'll find
an off-lease laptop for her with an i5 processor, put in an SSD to help it
with speed, and she'll be ready to go.  I'll probably spend around $200 (not
including the 256GB SSD I already have sitting here.)

Scott in Penfield NY

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Mike M
Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2016 6:14 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Subject: Re: [AT] OT - Refurbished computers

Thank you for all the replies regarding my search for a new computer. 
I'd really like to stay with the 15.6" screen, as my eyes really need that.
I'm also seeing a lot of the SSD drives in many of the computers, but they
are all smaller than what I have on my drive now, so I don't think that's an
option for me.  To get to the 15" screen in the Lenovo brand jumps right out
of my price range. I'm sure I'll find something, thanks again for the
suggestions.

Mike M

On 12/27/2016 3:33 PM, David Bruce wrote:
> I've bought a number from a company that reconditions Dell business 
> machines. The business line is much better than the consumer line but 
> still an issue with special parts. My normal for my every day machine 
> is to have one assembled to my specifications. I spend more but they 
> life span is 5 to 8 years rather than 2 to 3. I'll be checking out 
> that Lenovo outlet.
>
> David
>
> NW NC
>
>
> On 12/27/2016 12:56 PM, Spencer Yost wrote:
>> Outlet.lenovo.com
>>
>> The great thing about this site as they often have brand-new systems made
with raw materials that have been discontinued in current product lines. So
you get the refurb price but get a new computer. This is the only place I've
been buying computers last few years.   Obviously they also have the refurb
units there too and  you can often spy a particularly good deal on one of
those.
>>
>> Plus you'll get a great quality computer here as  Lenovo is one of the
best, if not the best, brand out there in laptops.
>>
>>
>>
>> Spencer Yost
>>
>>> On Dec 27, 2016, at 12:41 PM, Mike M <meulenms at gmx.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> The computer I'm typing this on is on it's last legs, I need a new 
>>> laptop, but don't want to spend the bucks for a brand new one. Does 
>>> anyone have experience buying refurbished computers through 
>>> companies like tigerdirect, newegg, etc. Seems like I can get a 
>>> better computer than I have now for less than half the cost of a new 
>>> one. Any other deals out there? Thanks for any advice in advance.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>>
>>> Mike M
>>>
>>>
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