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Archive for the ‘refurbished pc’ Category

I found a good deal on a Dell computer system. It’s been "refurbished". My pc is dying on me (parts are swelling up in the mother board). It’s getting slower & slower everyday. I have an emachine. I’ve heard, from several people, that emachines are junk. I’d like to get a Dell. I can’t really afford a new one. I found a refurbished one for about $500 less than you’d get a new one, of the same kind, for. Should I get it? What all does it mean has been done to it, when it’s been "refurbished"? Thanks!

a refurbished computer is basically where a person has taken a not so great or worn down computer and replaced parts or upgraded to make it better. If i were you i would make sure that any refurbished computer is coming from a reliable source. It could mean that basically everything has been replaced, or that simply the hardrive, ask the parson what all has been done to the computer this way you know that its not a major lemon.

it can be online or it can be near toronto area, gaming pc.. prefer atleast 512 mb ram and atleast 2.4 ghz. i found this
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2912877&Sku=E400-W3507

seems to good to be true though, id like this to be under 500 cuz i just fried my motherboard like 2 weeks ago. thanks
btw, i dont care much about harddrive, space. 40+ gbs is good, i dont use to much.. and whys this so cheap? there must be something to it

It’s a celeron, it’s a light duty chip,not good for gaming. There is no video card, also not good for gaming. This one has a better CPU, but still no video card. Adecent card will run you about 100.00

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2726998&Tab=2&NoMapp=0

I have an e-Machines T6532, these are very cheap computers made by Gateway for the retail market. It is sitting on the floor, unused.

If you look hard, you can build your own entry level gaming rig for about 615.00, but this bare minimum in my opinion. The first link has an 800.00 gaming rig on it suitable for a first time builder.
http://www.extremetech.com/category2/0,1695,644478,00.asp
http://www.mysuperpc.com/
http://www.pcmech.com/build.htm

Hope that this will help. If you use the OS out of the fried computer, you could do it for about 525.00. These are the parts I was looking at, one note, the PSUs that come with a case are not usually good quality.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2714981&sku=E145-7922
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=313606&sku=TC1-6000%20BL
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2528083&sku=N27-1895
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1168922&sku=C13-6036
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2989660&sku=MBM-945GZ-641
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1786784&sku=R456-1040
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1892385&sku=TSD-160M4
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2541424&CatId=1588

I am NOT saying go buy these parts, I would have to spend a little more time making sure they are 100% compatible. This is just an example. This does have a video card with it, and I dont think I missed anything.

Good luck

Of course you can try Refurb Depot
http://www.refurbdepot.com/category.cfm?PageID=201&refererid=google_r&gclid=CPPFkYWqxIsCFR47UAodLilxBg
I like Tiger Direct. They have lots of refurbs of many pc makers including HP.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/

If you want more HP choices, try PC Mall
http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/promotions/custom5.asp?p=systemdeals&WTReferer=http://www.google.com/search?q=refurbished+hp+media+center&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7TSHB&wt.mc_id=8789

These are only a couple of places to find what you are looking for )

I want to buy new/refurbished Pentium I and II computers, such as those with processing speeds of 266-400 MHZ. I also would like to find computers with processing speeds in the 750-900 MHZ range.

I’ve checked Google, eBay, and the websites of various refurbished PC merchants, but I haven’t managed to locate any computers with these specifications.

Where can I find these kinds of computers? Serious responses only, please…

dump?? Always a good try, oh and hate to break it to ya but you are never going to find a "new" P1 or P2.

When i was searching for a gaming laptop this popped up, but i wasn’t sure if this meets the needs for high quality games, the pc i wwas looking at was an ‘Asus G1Sn-X1 Refurbished Gaming Notebook PC – Intel Core 2 Duo T5550 1.83GHz, 4GB DDR2, 320GB HDD, DVDRW Lightscribe, 15.4" WXGA, Vista Home Premium 64 bit’…and i dont understand what that means…so…heres the web page with al the details…http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4318118&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs…you can just copy/paste…and plz reply, anything helps

nVidia GeForce 9500M GS, hey that’s no gaming graphics
cpu too pretty lowly
+ refurbished & with 3 month warranty for $760
Rip-Off

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834146584
way better specs for $750 & it’s brand new with full warranty

also, another refurbished asus at $690, with awesome specs http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9531722&type=product&id=1218120546654

straight to the external one

yes ….

new pc games

I have one and I play Team Fortress 2 on it, Battlefield 2, Command and Conquer 3, etc, and can even run Crysis on low detail (Crysis lags though big time). BUT I am about to buy a GeForce 9500 for it.

With a slimline, you must be careful because only a select few cards can fit. Also the power supply issue as well with some cards. I am very happy with my Slimline though. The only problem is our Geforce 7100 is integrated, so our RAM and speed etc gets crippled due to the card

Not to mention its refurbished. I’ll never make the mistake of buying a refurb PC again in my life… wasted $800..

Operating Systems Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center

Platform Learn More Notebook PC

Expansion Ports 1 – Type I/II PC Card Slot
CardBus Support

Processor Brand AMD

Processor Class Turion 64 X2 TL-52

Processor Speed 1.6GHz

Additional Technologies HyperTransport™ Technology

Memory Type DDR2

Memory Size 2GB

Memory Speed DDR2 533

Memory Slots (Total) 2

Memory Slots (Available) 0

Capacity 160GB

Optical Drive Type Dual Layer DVD±RW

Supplemental Drive Type Media Reader

Graphics Description Integrated Graphics

GPU/VPU ATI Radeon® Xpress 1150

Video Memory up to 128MB Shared

Communications Description Integrated Modem
Integrated LAN
Integrated Wireless LAN

price CAD 799.00

NO WAY!!!!!

You can get a Toshiba for that price — better quality.
you could get a Dell or HP for that price NEW!!!

The only thing youre really getting is the media center and another GB of RAM–whichisnt worth a refurbished computer, and a company like gateway when you can get a new one for that price.

I just bought dual Core Centrino, 1GB, XP MEDIA CENTER, 120 HD, wireless, etc for 750. TOSHIBA NEW!!!
If I want I could get another GB RAM for 75 bucks, but it would still be better than a gateway..and moreso better than a gateway thats been refurbished.

And the guy that tried to say GATEWAY desktops are good — take a look at PC reviews and see how low Gateway usually ranks compared to the other companies

hey im a student in marketing and have already gone through 2 PCs in 4 years. Im on a budget but I have enough to either get a refurbished mac from apple or another PC…
the refurbished mac when ordering from apple comes with a one year warranty

PC (Asus or http://www.powernotebooks for quality laptops).. Also, your other PCs might work with Linux.

PC=Variety of specs, options, quality, prices, vendors, support
Mac=One vendor, limited options, still more expensive. Look below for more information..

Today, Macs use a subset of PC hardware. Why spend extra to get the same CPU chips, graphics cards and OS X isn’t as secure as you think..

Don’t believe the lies that Macs are better than PCs at graphics/animation.. Dreamworks Animation http://www.dreamworksanimation.com/ under studio click on Technology of Animation, an independent film maker I know uses PCs, a graphic artist I used to know uses PCs also.

A number of PCs can also run OS X (Mac OS) http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=os+x+on+pc&btnG=Google+Search&aq=0&oq=os+x+on+ as well just that Apple makes it illegal in order to get Market share.. The reason why Mac can run native Windows is because it is using a subset of PC hardware,

If you decide to buy a Mac for running Windows, you will still have to get the same virus/spyware protection, and run into the same issues as a regular PC.

Now is a Mac worth buying for OS X?

I say: NO… for the following reasons…

ADVANTAGES WINDOWS :
Aprox 90% of the market is Windows and most PCs have windows already pre-installed.
1) Some websites require Internet Explorer, to run IE on Mac you really get ies4osx which is the Windows version of IE running really buggy and illegal if you don’t have a legitimate copy of Windows.
2) Supports more devices (printers and other things you hook into the computer).
3) More business software/games
4) Want the dock on OS X (Mac)? google/yahoo rocketdock, objectdoc.
5) Used by businesses.

ADVANTAGES LINUX :
1) FREE (most versions are)
2) Install software by either 1) Synaptic Package Manager, 2) Add/Remove 3) Opening a .deb or .rpm file (depending on distribution)
2) Like the Mac OS X effects? go yahoo/google COMPIZ FUSION which can do any cool effect a Mac can do and many ore….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Fbk52Mk1w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3gkX9HDfEE (there is no flickering when you use it like on the video, not sure why the person has the flicker)
3) Mac OS X Doc? google/yahoo Avant Window Navigator.Cairo Dock, http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3rf5q_cairo-dock-mac-os-x-leopard-dock-on_tech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0hzi22g2DE
4) It is FASTER/MORE SECURE to surf on the internet
5) Some Windows programs work with Wnehq/Crossover (also avail on Mac, but why pay $$$)

Instructions how to download, burn and boot http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/
Dual Boot Instructions http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_linux_xp_installed_first.htm

SECURITY
Mac OS X was hacked in 2006 less than 30 minutes, and within 2 minutes in a contest in 2008, and within 10 seconds in 2009. In 2008, Linux and Vista were not hacked until another day when restrictions were lowered. Vista was next, and then Linux. In 2009 Windows 7 fell shortly after the Mac but Linux was unscathed.
Macs are standardized with Cameras, if your Mac gets hacked, the hacker can turn on your camera with more ease.
Please Note: All OS’s have vulnerabilities.
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Mac-OS-X-hacked-under-30-minutes/0,130061744,139241748,00.htm
http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/03/27/Gone-in-2-minutes-Mac-gets-hacked-first-in-contest_1.html
http://www.infoworld.com/article/09/03/19/Researcher_cracks_Mac_in_10_seconds_1.html
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Finds-Irony-in-Mac-OS-X-Getting-Hacked-Before-Vista-SP1-82135.shtml

VIRUSES
Mac OS X has viruses (and significantly on the rise), a friend of mine has a virused Mac. As more users use Macs, more viruses will come out for it. Especially when users think "they are safe".
http://infosecurity.us/?p=4005
http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2008/07/malware_authors_take_aim_at_growing_number_of_1.html
http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/poll_have_you_noticed_an_increase_in_malware_viruses_etc_on_your_mac/

QUALITY/PROBLEMS
Contrary to belief, Macs are not better quality. Apple also has been changing suppliers to try to "lower the price" and thus lowering quality. Even with the lower prices, Macs still cost more, they spend a higher percent of budget trying to make it look pretty, and marketing.

Sample of problems: Deleting your Data (Snow Leopard), Overheating Macbooks, OS X- not responding to keyboard, some units with 16bit screens, etc. Apple statistics are misleading since Mac users with problem machines are more likely to go out and buy a new computer than PC users. Apple is lowering prices which means you can expect lower quality than in the past. Apple had switched the manufacturers producing parts. OS X also has problems slowing down.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=5006
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10020263-17.html
http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/01/apples-quality-dwindling-my-macbook-pro-sob-story/
http://www.appledefects.com/
http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/os-x-operating-system/107748-mac-os-leopard-running-slow.html
http://cybernetnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/reliable-laptops.jpg

Repairs are more expensive than PCs since the IMac, Mac Mini are compact units, and Apple charges a premium for their services. Some repairs can be done by another repair service but the compact design of the computer causes problems.
With an IMac, if the problem is with the monitor, the whole computer would have to be brought in.
IMac and Mac mini lack expansion.

PRICE
A similar equipped PC is much cheaper to purchase than Mac. Lets use Dell (but you can compare with another PC Brand if you like)

**(LAPTOP)
Dell Inspiron Laptop Starting Price: $500
Ending Price: $500
15" Screen
CPU: 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo [5% slower]
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD [Not as good/fine for general use[
Memory: 3GB DDR2 SDRAM [75% of ram)
Hard Drive: 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (same)
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dndozm4&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=laptop-inspiron-1545

Cybperpower Notebook Xplorer X5-2900 Starting Price: $755
Ending Price After upgrades (not including 5% rebate): $860
15" Screen
CPU: (upgrade to) 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (+$100) [FASTER]
Graphics: Nvidia GFORCE 9600-GT 512MB [MUCH FASTER/BETTER CARD]
Memory: 4GB DDR2 SDRAM [MORE MEMORY]
Hard Drive: (upgrade to) 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (+$5) [LARGER HARD DRIVE]
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Xplorer_X5-2900_Notebook/detail

Macbook Starting laptop Price: $1000
Ending Price After Upgrades: $1200
13" Screen (SMALLER)
CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SLOWER)
Graphics: Nvidia GFORCE 9400 256MB
Memory: (upgrade to) 4GB DDR2 SDRAM (SAME)
Hard Drive (upgrade to) 320B Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SAME)
http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MC240LL/A?mco=NjcxMTQ3Ng

**(DESKTOP)

PLEASE NOTE: I compare Apple Mac’s vs Dells best deal. If you really want an all-in one the Dell all-in-one has more ram, wireless keyboard and mouse and equivalent to $400 for free making the Imac still more expensive when you matching specs. Personally I don’t think the All-in-Ones are a good choice, and consider them overpriced, lack expandability and repairs both more expensive and require the entire computer.

PS: Apple knows that they need to make Macintosh look different than PC so all Macs except the Mac Pro will not have a tower option. Apple’s low end lacks expandability but it makes the Mac "look different", if Mac had a tower for low-end, more people would realize the similarities between the two.

Dell: ($700)
CPU: 2.33 GHZ Dell Inspiron QUAD (4 Processor) CORE
SCREEN: 20inch Screen
MEMORY: 4GB Ram
HARD DRIVE: 500 GB hard Drive
OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer
GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon HD 512MB
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dddwra4&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=desktop-inspiron-537s

The Mac Mini since it has no monitor, keyboard, mouse, very skimpy on options and setup and is not the best deal… The IMac is better price than the Mac Mini.

IMac ($1300)
CPU: 2.4 GHZ DUAL (2 Processor) CORE (SLOWER CPU)
SCREEN: 20inch Screen
MEMORY: (upgrade to) 4GB Ram (SAME)
HARD DRIVE: (upgrade to ) 320 GB hard Drive (LESS HARD DRIVE)
OPTICAL DRIVE: 8x DVD Reader/Writer (1/2 speed)
GRAPHICS: Nvidia Geforce 9400M (APPROX SAME BUT LESS MEMORY GAPHICS)
http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB417LL/A?mco=NDE4Mzg3Ng

Equivalents to ILife
http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jake/20070830_ilife_for_windows.html
http://www.xsellize.com/showthread.php?t=20518

FREE Windows Stuff
http://www.comodo.com/products/free_products.html
http://www.iobit.com/
http://www.ccleaner.com/
ANTI-VIRUS
Avira Antivir (FREE) for 2009 personal edition is free (there is a paid version) the free version was rated the best by onsumer reports 2009 and here http://www.freewaregenius.com/2009/04/07/the-best-free-antivirus-a-comparison/
http://www.free-av.com/

Avast (Free- Click under Free Software and download Avast Home Edition) http://www.avast.com/

ANTI-MALWARE
Windows Defender (FREE)
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx
Malware Bytes (FREE) Limitation – No Realtime protection on free version.
http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?tag=mncol
Super Anti-Spyware (FREE)
http://download.cnet.com/SuperAntiSpyware-Free-Edition/3000-8022_4-10523889.html?tag=mncol

LINUX INFO:
http://distrowatch.com/
http://polishlinux.org/
http://www.desktoplinux.com/
http://polishlinux.org/
http://www.ubuntu.com/

And was it any good? Has it given you any trouble? Any recommendations as I am thinking of getting one

Thanks

Even though it is from a great place like PC World. I would advise you not to buy used or refurbished stuff. The reason why they are refurbished is that they were broken before or opened and had to be brought back to fix. It is always best to buy something new, just spend a little extra, it’s worth it rather than going through having to fix any problems.