Buying a Refurbished Computer

OVER THE YEARS, computers have evolved from a luxury to a necessity. So while the thought of spending your hard-earned money on a new computer might be painful, it's not as painful as the thought of going without.

One way to keep a computer purchase from completely emptying your wallet is to buy one that's refurbished. Doing so could save you an average of 10% to 25% off the retail price. Some recent deals: At Apple's (AAPL) online store you can save $300 on a MacBook Pro (originally $2,000), plus get a $100 rebate on a new printer ranging in price from $100 to $850. Online electronics retailer TigerDirect is selling a refurbished Gateway T-1625 Notebook for $200 off the original $700 price.

Of course, buying anything refurbished — especially a computer containing so many fragile moving parts — should be reason for concern. After all, you can't kick the tires like you would a used car. There are ways to protect yourself, however. Here's how to make sure the refurbished computer you buy doesn't turn out to be a lemon:

One of the benefits of going this route is that most manufacturers will make sure to give the refurbished computer its stamp of approval before it goes on sale. "They take these machines through yet one more quality control pass, so it's actually been touched by more quality control people than a new machine has," says Rob Enderle, principal analyst at Enderle Group.

Of course, not all refurbished computer programs are 100% failsafe. To help improve your odds, ask the retailer when and why the computer was returned so you can determine whether the item is as good as new or if it had to undergo some extensive repairs first.

Also, ask about the store's warranty coverage and return policies. Most reputable manufacturers not only assure that the computer is in working condition but they'll also put it in writing. And since many of them treat refurbished merchandise more or less like new products, there should be some type of warranty coverage and the option to return it, says Enderle.

Luckily, in a world where ratings and reviews for private sellers and auction sites are in abundance, buyers can easily find out if a seller is considered reputable or not. Beyond the user reviews, however, check to see if complaints have been filed against the vendor at the Better Business Bureau's web site. Another red flag to look for is if the seller won't offer a money-back guarantee or a manufacturer's warranty. "Don't buy into a take-it-or-leave-it deal," says Enderle. "If you can't return the product, that's a very high level of risk."

One way to gain peace of mind is to stick to sites like Tigerdirect.com> and Newegg.com, which have a strong track record in selling refurbished electronics, says Dan Ackerman, senior editor at CNET Networks, a technology information site.

Once you find a seller you feel good about, make sure they have all the original software and license keys for the computer, says Itzkowitz. If they don't, walk away from the sale. Without the install disks you won't be able to reinstall the programs should something go wrong and "you could find yourself with a dead PC," he says.

Also, ask the seller to remove all traces of the previous owner by deleting files, spyware, browser history, cookies and other programs. If not, "you're effectively visiting every web site they've ever visited and opening every email they've ever received," Itzkowitz says. Keep in mind, however, that you may need to reinstall necessary items like antivirus software and reset firewalls.

Corrected to reflect the proper title for Marc Itzkowitz of Support.com, as well as the proper spelling of his last name.

Also See:
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When Buying a Warranty Makes Sense
High-Tech Features You Can Do Without