The Ups and Downs of Refurbished Laptops
When a purchaser returns their laptop for a scratched screen or a blemished finish, or even because the recipient was not sure that this was the laptop that they wanted, the computer does not stop at the customer service desk. The laptop is returned to the manufacturer who puts the laptop through several quality tests. Any issues that are discovered in the laptop through the screening process are corrected, and the laptop is tested again to ensure that the computer has been remedied before it is repackaged and sold as a refurbished unit. The fact that the unit is refurbished fetches deep discounts on the pricing.
The laptop that has been refurbished successfully will have its hard drive wiped clean, and then the manufacturer will reinstall the operating system. When the computer has been completely restored to an operable state, they will allow it to run for several hours to be sure that it will withstand regular use. Any further defect or part issues will be identified during this time. If there are issues found and repaired, the laptop will be again subjected to the harsh testing before it is considered to be successfully refurbished.
Any laptop that is being sold as refurbished will have its serial number updated to show its refurbished status. A refurbished laptop will not be sold as a new laptop, and the serial number helps to protect the consumer from fraud. The process that is followed from one company to another will vary slightly, of course. The goal of the entire exercise for any company is for the laptop to become a functional unit once more so that it can be returned to the market.
Some refurbished laptops are called custom refurbished. When a laptop has been custom refurbished, then a company or individual has outlined specs that they require in a refurbished laptop. This will give the customer the ability to receive a laptop that will operate with the peripherals and functionality that he or she needs, while still paying the price of a reconditioned laptop. Such custom parameters may include Bluetooth capability, processor speed, screen size, hard drive, and memory. At times manufacturers will offer promotional deals and discounts that can be combined for exceptional savings on refurbished units.
The laptops that have been returned to the manufacturer for reconditioning are of the same quality of the laptops that are on the shelf. What you are considering is purchasing a laptop that has been tested to extreme for the purpose of finding any operable flaws. The best thing about refurbished is that they most often come with limited warranties from reputable dealers. This is to say that for six months to a year from the purchase date, the dealer may cover any parts or service for damage or dysfunction not caused by routine wear and tear.
The owner of a refurbished laptop has the advantage of the hottest laptops at the coolest prices in exchange for the forgiveness of the computer’s past sins.
