Refurbished Pros and Cons
Pro: Return policies on refurbished models aren't always shorter. Often, you
have less time to return a refurbished PC than you do a new model. Dell's policy
is 14 days for refurbished returns and IBM's is 7 days, though both offer 30
days for new computers. Hewlett-Packard offers a 30-day return for both new and
refurbished computers, however.
Pro: Warranties for refurbished notebooks can be just as good. Usually, the
default warranty period for refurbished computers is shorter than for new PCs.
IBM and HP generally offer three-month standard warranties on their refurbished
notebooks, while refurbished Dell Inspirons come with a one-year limited
warranty. New PCs, by comparison, typically come with at least a one-year
limited warranty. All three vendors, however, offer warranty upgrades (at an
additional cost) for most refurbished notebook models.
Con: Refurbished notebooks can't be customized. Here's the potential deal
killer: While many new models (particularly from Dell, HP, and IBM) can be
customized, refurbished notebooks cannot. For instance, you can specify the
processor, amount of memory, hard drive capacity, and other features of a new
Dell notebook. With refurbished models, you can only choose from the available
inventory of preconfigured computers.
The Bottom Line
The playing field between refurbished and brand-new notebooks has been leveled
in recent years, to some degree. A refurbished notebook may be a good choice if
you want to get more features for your money but don't need the fastest
performance, the very latest model, or a computer that's customized to your
specific needs. If those are priorities, buy a new notebook.
