| What exactly is a reconditioned or refurbished | | | | so, and the price - and guarantee - are good, then |
| notebook computer? Depending on where you are | | | | you have nothing to lose. |
| buying, it normally should be a used - or possibly a | | | | Reconditioned machines, when you find them in a |
| returned notebook - that has been factory rebuilt. A | | | | retail outlet, usually are returns that had some |
| refurbished notebook computer is basically a cheap, | | | | problem, went back to the manufacturer, were fixed |
| used (maybe) and renovated computer that satisfies | | | | and now are available at a very substantial discount |
| all your performance and portability needs and | | | | but have the full 'new' machine factory/manufacturer |
| provides all the advantages you would get on buying | | | | guarantee. This can be a huge savings and an |
| a new notebook - such as warranty and technical | | | | incredible deal. Often these reconditioned notebooks |
| support. This is critical - do not buy a so-called | | | | sell at a discount of 50% or more - and they may |
| reconditioned or refurbished notebook computer if it | | | | even be current models. |
| does not have the same warranty or guarantee as a | | | | Maybe I've just been lucky, but my experience with |
| new machine. | | | | factory reconditioned notebooks has convinced me |
| I'm writing this article right now on a factory | | | | that it's foolish to dump a bunch of dollars into a new |
| reconditioned notebook that I purchased well over | | | | machine if an equally capable refurbished notebook is |
| two years ago at a very substantial savings over the | | | | available. After all, every reconditioned notebook was |
| same machine "new". It came with a full factory | | | | once a new notebook that had some kind of |
| warranty and it has performed like a champ. Granted, | | | | problem causing its return. If the factory did its job, |
| I was nervous when I first bought it, but I'm now | | | | then the reconditioned notebook is less likely to have |
| convinced that if you can find a reconditioned or | | | | a problem than a new model. And if it does have a |
| refurbished notebook that has the features you're | | | | problem, you will still have the warranty that new |
| looking for, you'd be foolish to pay full price -- the | | | | notebooks have. |
| discounts are incredible, and the products are | | | | Students, and of course their parents, who are on |
| functionally identical. | | | | the look out for a low-priced notebook to meet |
| If you just need a computer that is portable, one | | | | school needs, should definitely consider buying a |
| that you can use to perform simple computing tasks, | | | | refurbished notebook computer. Education is |
| why spend a fortune in buying a new notebook from | | | | expensive enough without throwing away money by |
| some well-known brand? Look for a refurbished | | | | paying top dollar for a notebook when an equivalent |
| notebook computer instead. You will get a notebook | | | | refurbished or reconditioned notebook would serve |
| that will give you the required performance at a | | | | as well. Check out the computer shops in the local |
| much lower price - and it will still be covered by a | | | | area - or even check online sites like that may |
| warranty. | | | | showcase a good refurbished notebook computer on |
| There is normally a difference between "refurbished" | | | | sale. |
| and "reconditioned" (or factory reconditioned). | | | | So before you spend - possibly waste - a lot of |
| Refurbished usually means that this is an older | | | | money buying a brand new notebook that might |
| notebook that has been used and then reconditioned | | | | have features you will never need and accessories |
| - often by a third party. Depending on the warranty | | | | you never asked for, look into the possibilities of a |
| being offered by the refurbisher, this could be an | | | | suitable and low-priced reconditioned or refurbished |
| excellent deal. As always, it depends on whether the | | | | notebook computer. |
| refurbished notebook meets your specifications. If | | | | |