Before you buy any computer—new or refurbished—you should ask yourself what you're planning to do with it. Since most refurbished computers are a generation or two behind the most recent models, you have to take special care to make sure you don't need the system for cutting edge work. Here are some criteria to keep in mind:
- Portability: Do you travel often? Do you expect to take your work with you? Size and weight are a concern, then: make sure the system you're buying is small enough you can comfortably transport it, but be aware that with portability often (but not always) comes a tradeoff in features and horsepower.
- Specs: Think about the applications you plan to run. Will you be doing any high-end gaming? Video or audio encoding? Anything else that's CPU or memory-intensive? How much storage will you need? Make sure to consider the specs of the system against the apps you're going to use and ask yourself: Can this computer handle your needs? (Often the answer is "Yes.") If not, is the money you'll save on a refurbished machine worth slower apps, or sticking with earlier versions without new features? (more on this later)
- Power: If you're buying a laptop, especially a refurbished one, look up how much a replacement battery will cost, or a spare AC adapter. Depending on how the system was refurbished before it went up for sale, that battery may or may not hold a decent charge, and may be through its recharge cycles and ready to be recycled. This is especially important if you plan to travel, or work in multiple locations. If you're buying a desktop, it's probably not an issue.
Competitive Pricing: Aside from raw specs and stats, look at the price of the refurbished model, and compare it to the price of a new, comparable system. Remember, refurbished doesn't always equal bargain, even if your Craigslist contact is tossing in some pre-installed software or an external hard drive. Would you spend the same buying new or refurb, perhaps with that previously mentioned warranty?
Price of Upgrades: Many people buy a refurbished system and completely underestimate how much they'll wind up spending on it in upgrades. Sure, that $300 refurbished laptop may look like a bargain, but once you buy a $100 external hard drive, a $90 Windows 7 license, and any programs you need to buy, it's not looking like much of a deal anymore. And some systems lend themselves to refurbishment better than others. The GX280 Dell Optiplex is made small and simple, which makes refurbishment easier. A custom computer will give the refurbishment company much more trouble, and that will translate to a heftier toll on your wallet