I was looking to upgrade my current P4 Dell of five years. It has been a reliable computer for the most part but I need to expand a bit. I need a new fan, a DVD writer, a 2.0 USB card and I would like to install a PVR card to record TV. But looking at Best Buy and Futureshop, they are selling refurbished HP computers with huge memory and storage for $500 - $700. Has anyone had any experience with one of these refurb's before? These are only available online so I can't even check them out. Is there any other retailers that sell these or a comparable system?
Refurbished Computers
- Thread starter Kenwoody
- Start date
tigerdirect.ca has some refurb. I personally stay away from them if I can find a good deal on new but YMMV.
Refurbished means they were returned for one reason or another. Buying one from a reputable company like F/S or Best Buy etc is a lot better than buying one from Factory Direct (who has an all sales final clause).
For $700.00 you can get a kick ass off brand computer new from places like Canada Computer or simply put one together yourself. Many places sell barebones systems that only include the mobo, cpu and memory. You add all your gear from your old pc which saves you a ton of money in the long run.
Depending on how savvy you are you can use your own case and just buy a new mobo, cpu and memory yourself and remove your old mobo and install the new.
You might even want to try ebay. I just saw a kick ass AMD computer go for $426.00 that was pretty well loaded for bear. The cpu and mobo it was using costs $300.00 by itself so it was a deal and a half actually.
For $700.00 you can get a kick ass off brand computer new from places like Canada Computer or simply put one together yourself. Many places sell barebones systems that only include the mobo, cpu and memory. You add all your gear from your old pc which saves you a ton of money in the long run.
Depending on how savvy you are you can use your own case and just buy a new mobo, cpu and memory yourself and remove your old mobo and install the new.
You might even want to try ebay. I just saw a kick ass AMD computer go for $426.00 that was pretty well loaded for bear. The cpu and mobo it was using costs $300.00 by itself so it was a deal and a half actually.
If you buy a refurb from a reputable dealerKenwoody said:I was looking to upgrade my current P4 Dell of five years. It has been a reliable computer for the most part but I need to expand a bit. I need a new fan, a DVD writer, a 2.0 USB card and I would like to install a PVR card to record TV. But looking at Best Buy and Futureshop, they are selling refurbished HP computers with huge memory and storage for $500 - $700. Has anyone had any experience with one of these refurb's before? These are only available online so I can't even check them out. Is there any other retailers that sell these or a comparable system?
usually it's almost as good as new. When an item is returned
the malfunctioning components are replaced with new ones.
I have a refurbished IBM T40 Think pad--
have used it daily almost 3+ years, no problems so far.
The problem with adding to a 5 year old computer, is that it was not designed to take advantage of the newer technology.
Unless you are dirt poor, it would be a better use of your money to buy a new or referb machine. Just remember to always get more RAM.
Unless you are dirt poor, it would be a better use of your money to buy a new or referb machine. Just remember to always get more RAM.
If you a little handy you can buy and install those parts for ~$100-150. Your P4 should handle them no with problem. The only problem is Dell, which is known for making things not that easy to upgrade.Kenwoody said:I need to expand a bit. I need a new fan, a DVD writer, a 2.0 USB card and I would like to install a PVR card to record TV.
some good deals here as well
http://www.laptopcloseout.ca/canada/home.html?target=dept_101.html&lang=en-usRadio_Shack said:tigerdirect.ca has some refurb. I personally stay away from them if I can find a good deal on new but YMMV.
