Mobile Computing: Update on Refurbished Notebooks
Are refurbished notebooks a good deal? Find out.
James A. Martin
Feature: Refurbished Notebooks Update
Do refurbished notebooks really save you money? And if so, what are the trade-offs?
The last time I checked, in May 2004, the cost savings and minimal trade-offs made refurbs attractive. For example, at that time you could buy a refurbished Dell Inspiron 8600 that was better equipped overall than a new, similarly priced 8600, for the same amount of money.
Recently, I took another look at refurbished notebooks, checking out the online inventories for Dell, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and other vendors. I found that, at least at Dell's Web site, buying a refurbished notebook can actually save you hundreds over the cost of the exact-same notebook, brand new.
Here are the latest pros (and con) of refurbished notebooks.
Pro: More for Your Money With Dell Refurbs
Prices on refurbished Dell notebooks can be significantly lower than comparable new models.
Among computer makers that sell their own refurbished computers online, Dell offers some of the most attractive prices for notebooks. For example, I compared a refurbished Dell Latitude D610 to a brand-new D610 with identical specs and service plan. The refurbished D610 cost $1264--a whopping $504 less than the new model's $1768 price tag.
Con: That's Not Always the Case
Not all computer makers follow Dell's lead in aggressively pricing refurbished equipment. In fact, when compared to brand-new models, prices for some refurbished notebooks are sometimes higher than those of comparable models. That's because items that are included with new notebooks (such as an AC adapter) are sometimes extra-cost options for refurbished models.
Consider Hewlett-Packard's Dv1000, for example: A refurbished model recently went for a total of $1430 after I added a six-cell battery ($130) and 65W AC adapter ($70). A new Dv1000 with the same specs as the refurbished model, and including the battery and power adapter in the price, sold the same day for $1274. That amount included a $100 instant discount and $50 mail-in rebate, making the new notebook $156 less than its refurbished twin.
Pro: Dell Has a Large Selection
Among computer makers that sell refurbished notebooks from their own Web sites, Dell continues to offer what appears to be the largest inventory. For instance, on a recent afternoon, there were 210 refurbished Latitudes and 170 refurbished Inspirons in stock. You can easily search Dell's inventory by price, model, processor, operating system, screen size, and other criteria, too.
By comparison, on the same day, Gateway had only four refurbished notebooks for sale.
Pro: Return Policies Are Getting Better
Last year, I noticed a disparity between some manufacturers' return policies for refurbished and new notebooks. For example, customers who bought refurbs from Dell had 14 days to make up their mind, while new Dell computers came with a 30-day return.
Today, the return period at Dell (as well as HP) is 21 days for either refurbished or new notebooks.
Pro: Extended Warranty/Service Plans Available
Dell, HP, and others often offer extended warranty/service plans for refurbished models that are roughly comparable to those available for new notebooks.
There can be differences, however. For example, HP's site lists only four service plans for its refurbished Dv1000 notebook, while a buyer of a new Dv1000 has six plans from which to choose.
Pro: Refurbished Computers Arrive Faster
If you need a new notebook in a hurry, a refurbished model is likely to be shipped much faster than a new PC you've configured yourself.
The Bottom Line
Anyone who appreciates a bargain should consider refurbished notebooks when shopping. Indeed, if you're a Dell fan, you'd be crazy not to check out its large inventory of refurbished notebooks before buying a new one. At other sites, you may get a good deal with--or pay more for--a refurbished notebook.
In short: Do your homework, and you can save some money.
For More Information
The Refurbished Laptops Guide offers several pages of helpful information about dealers, as well as an inventory of refurbs.
The following vendors sell refurbished notebooks online:
These online retailers also offer refurbs:
Read "Refurbished Notebooks, Take II" to see what some Mobile Computing readers had to say about their experiences.
Mobile Computing News, Reviews & Tips
Reader Tip: Pack an All-in-One
Mike B. Parker of Los Angeles doesn't think much of portable printers. Compared to desktop models, portables are slower and more expensive, Mike writes. Why bother with one of those when you can travel with a compact printer/scanner/fax machine instead?
Mike likes his HP Officejet 4110 All-in-One, for which he paid about $130. The multifunction printer is too large to fit in a backpack or wheeled suitcase, but Mike says it "fits nicely" in a large, collapsible duffel bag. Most of the time, Mike, a computer consultant, keeps the printer in his van.
"This allows me to take the printer most everywhere I go on short trips, and on long trips, I can toss it in the duffle bag," he writes.
The Officejet 4110 weighs 7.5 pounds and measures 7.2 by 16.7 by 8.3 inches. In comparison, HP's Deskjet 450, a portable printer, weighs 4.5 pounds (including its battery) and measures 3.2 by 13.3 by 6.5 inches.
HP no longer sells the Officejet 4110, though it's still available elsewhere for about $120. The PC World Product Finder has the latest pricing and availability. HP's current equivalent to the Officejet 4110 is the Officejet 4215, which weighs 8.5 pounds and measures 7.1 by 16.4 by 8 inches. The 4215 lists for $90, and you can find the latest pricing at our Product Finder.
For more on portable printers, read one of my "Mobile Computing" columns from a couple months back.
PDA Review: Dell Axim X50v Is Number One
Dell's Axim X50v ($424) recently landed in the number-one slot for Windows Mobile PDAs in PC World's Top 10 PDAs. The multimedia gadget gets high marks for its fast processor, dedicated graphics chip, and Windows Media Player Mobile 10 software. You can go to our Product Finder for the latest prices, and get more details from Dell.
PDA News: Wireless IPaqs on the Way
As of this writing, HP was said to be readying new wireless IPaq PDAs for the U.S. market. Already available in Europe, HP's IPaq Hw6510 and Hw6515 are the second generation of HP IPaq PDA/mobile phone hybrids and will reportedly include built-in keyboards and integrated GPS navigation.
Wireless News: Boeing Tests In-Flight Cell Phone Service
Qualcomm and Boeing are testing in-flight cell phone service on a specially equipped Boeing 737-400 aircraft. Boeing hopes to offer the service via its Connexion service as soon as regulators in the U.S. approve in-flight cell phone service. But will that happen? Officials from the U.S. Justice Department, Department of Homeland Security, and Federal Bureau of Investigation have warned of potential dangers.
Wireless News: Wireless Piggybacking Arrests
Two recent high-profile cases point out the potential hazards of piggybacking on someone else's wireless network. In St. Petersburg, Florida, a man was arrested and charged with a felony for allegedly accessing a computer network without authorization. And in the UK a man was fined $874 for piggybacking on a wireless network.
Gadget News: Sony's Candy-Colored Walkmans
Looking for a sweet new digital music player? The design of Sony's new Network Walkman players was inspired by jellybeans. The bean-shaped players will go on sale later this year in colors such as tropical ice (blue), cotton candy (pink), licorice (black), and tapioca pudding (just kidding). Prices will be $130 to $180 in the U.S.
Suggestion Box
Is there a particularly cool mobile computing product or service I've missed? Got a spare story idea in your back pocket? Tell me about it. However, I regret that I'm unable to respond to tech-support questions, due to the volume of e-mail I receive.
Sign up to have the Mobile Computing Newsletter e-mailed to you each week.