Refurbished PCs: Why?
If one is looking for a new computer but lacks the finances to get a modern PC, one great option to consider are refurbished PCs. Rather than completely trash an old PC, certain makers are outfitting older PCs with new hardware. Many of them are to a level to where they seem brand new. A lot of the refurbished PCs come in at specifications at or near a lot of PCs offered at brick-and-mortar stores. Often times, the refurbished offerings exceed the specifications of newer PCs but for anywhere between 1/2 to 2/3 less. Because the PCs are given new life, they help add to sustainability efforts and not towards adding to degrading the environment through landfills or waste.
I was interested in getting a newer PC since last year or two years ago. My current Acer PC was the first PC I bought with my own money. I paid just over $300 USD for it at a Wal-Mart/Walmart. That much money could get me a great refurbished PC and maybe some leftover money to enhance it a little more. When I bought electronics on Amazon, a lot of them were refurbished models. I am willing to take my chances on a refurbished PC. I thought about buying a mini PC or a laptop, until I was convinced it is best I stick to a basic desktop PC. Compared to my budget PC I bought in 2014, $300 USD could get me a very competitive refurbished PC with much better specifications than my regular PC.
The refurbished PC I am going for most has to be at least 8GB of RAM and have a 2.9 GHz processor (preferably quad-core). A recommended set of specifications to me is a 16GB RAM PC with a 3.4 GHz processor (preferably quad-core). I have been feeling the urge to try to be futureproof. To me, a futureproof PC for me would have to be 32GB RAM (or more) with a 3.9 GHZ or greater processor. I am willing to live with integrated graphics, so I will not be on the hunt to get a dedicated GPU (graphics processing unit).
The model I was eyeing as of the time of this blog post is not one of the models to be featured in this blog post, but it was a Dell Precision that I was inspired to check out from one YouTuber. It seemed like a PC more than within my budget and with some great specifications to boot when I looked it up on Walmart's website.
Why THESE PCs?
The PCs from Dell, HP, and Lenovo in this blog post are all business PCs. They have popular versions ranging from desktops to even mini PC variants. My best guess is that these have all gotten so worn out and used that they become popular bases for refurbished PCs. Maybe they were durable and dependable in their former lives that when reborn with new technology, they become solid bases for refurbished models. I really do not know what makes them so popular. From one video or a website I read, these PCs are popular because these office PCs were so sturdy and dependable.If you were to buy any of the latest models of the office PCs to be mentioned in this blog post, you're going to pay at least $600 USD for the latest models and easily over $1K USD for the latest versions of these office PCs.
If you were to pick up the latest versions of the PCs I am about to mention, expect to pay at least $600 USD for each. Many of them don't even have the hopped-up specifications of their refurbished counterparts.
Let me go into detail about each featured series of models now.
Popular Refurbished PCs: Dell Optiplex Series
^ from: Amazon - The Dell Optiplex has been seen as a great PC for PC gamers on a budget.
^ from: Office Depot and OfficeMax - This is the small form factor (SFF) version of the Dell Optiplex.
The Dell Optiplex is a business/office PC that is commonly seen as great for PC gaming when given upgrades for gaming. People who use refurbished Optiplex models usually fit them with upgraded RAM, processors, power supply units, and graphics processing units (GPU). The better refurbished Optiplex models have great enough specifications that they do not really need much to make them better than stock. The gaming crowd, however, prefer technology experiences to be on par with gaming-specific PCs.
Buying a newer Dell Optiplex will set you back at least $600 USD on Amazon. They can cost over $1,000 USD if you buy direct from Dell's Optiplex site. On Amazon, one of the best-selling refurbished PCs is a Dell Optiplex selling for about $186 USD. Some other models cost less and have near the specifications of this model and may have some better specifications. Some people usually buy a used or refurbished Dell Optiflex from around $80 USD to $130 USD and do their own custom modifications.
Popular Refurbished PCs: HP Series
^ from: Amazon - The HP ProDesk series is another popular option for refurbished PCs.
^ from: (Natix) - These sleek HPs are of the EliteDesk series.
This one is going to be tough to explain because there are several models, and I can not tie things down to one specific model. Bear with me here.
Hewlett-Packard makes some great products. My family and I have owned two different HP laptops, and my previous PC before my current Acer PC was an HP PC. The HP EliteDesk series has been popular as refurbished PC base. The simplicity of the mini office PC versions of HP computers have been great bases for refurbished PCs. The mini EliteDesk PCs are easy to open up and upgrade.
Another darling of refurbished HP computers is the ProDesk series. If you don't see the EliteDesk as a common refurbished model, you might see the HP ProDesk being offered up as refurbished. This is another rather popular base for people to turn into gaming PCs.
Both refurbished models of the EliteDesk and ProDesk can be quite a bargain. That is... if you are not willing to pay between $600 USD to $1K USD for a newer model with the latest technology.
Popular Refurbished PCs: Lenovo Thinkcentre Series
^ from: Newegg - The Lenovo ThinkCentre, while not as common as the Dell or HP computers mentioned earlier, is still a viable choice for any shopper of a refurbished PC.
^ from: Walmart - This is the SFF version of the Lenovo ThinkCentre, which again, is a popular base for refurbished PCs.
Of the aforementioned makes, only Lenovo is non-American. This Chinese manufacturer of various electronics made themselves a quality machine in the Lenovo Thinkcentre. The Thinkcentre is offered in versions including a desktop tower, a mini office PC, and a thin client PC. The price range goes from around $350 to just over $1.2K if buying direct from Lenovo's website. Buying one of these Amazon or eBay will not hurt you too much.
Like the aforementioned PCs in this blog post, the Lenovo Thinkcentre is often used as a base for refurbished PCs. They would be a good option if you fancy a PC outside of the likes of HP or Dell. It will no doubt serve you well. These may not be as elegant as HP's offerings, but the Lenovo Thinkcentre still gets it done as a refurbished PC.
That's all for this section. How about I offer you some Final Thoughts?
Three Popular Refurbished PC Series: Final Thoughts
When it comes to buying a refurbished PC, you want to get a PC that you can live with and utilize for some time to come. The one concern about any refurbished product is how long it can last and if its quality will be good enough to serve you well for a long time. Using a device that has been refurbished rather than recycled helps in the sustainability department. You should definitely consider the refurbished market if you are looking for a new PC and do not have the money for more modern PCs. Find a refurbished PC that meets your specification needs and within budget.
I mentioned popular models from the likes of Dell, HP, and Lenovo because they are the most popular ones for refurbished PCs. Most popular of all are the Dell Optiplex series. HP has two popular series if you do not fancy Dell computers. If you do not have the finances to buy even newer versions of these commercial PCs, Lenovo has you covered with a range of options from its Thinkcentre series.
While they are not the only refurbished PCs you can buy online, the ones I mentioned in this blog post are the most popular ones. These are all office-type/commercial-type PCs that are known for being very durable. Their toughness is substantiated. The fact you can buy refurbished versions of these PCs for nearly three to four times less than their original value make these refurbished PCs a viable alternative for those who want a competitive PC and do not necessarily need the latest and greatest technology.
The only concern one should have over refurbished PCs is how well restored and renewed they are. Is a refurbished PC notably damaged or used to where some problems may arise? Could it be poorly put together? Low-priced may not always equate to high quality, so be concerned about this should you get a chance to buy a refurbished PC.
That is all from me. I have one more section for you, and it is completely voluntary. Skip it if you wish not to participate.
Refurbished PCs Online
Want to shop for PCs online from the aforementioned makes or from a secondhand dealer? I can help you here! Please visit any of the sites to begin your quest for refurbished PCs (or even new ones):
• Amazon Renewed
• eBay Refurbished
• Walmart Restored
• Newegg Refurbished
• Micro Center Refurbished
• Microsoft Certified Refurbished
• Certified Refurbished Products - Apple
• Dell
• Hewlett-Packard (HP)
• Lenovo
Shop around on sites like these and good luck finding yourself a refurbished PC!
That's all for this one. Care to comment? Let's discuss:
Have you had much luck buying a refurbished PC?
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