Is Buying Refurbished IT Equipment a Good Idea?

Refurbished IT equipment sounds appealing with its cheaper price, but does it really offer benefits over buying new? Does the adage of ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ apply?

When meeting new customers, we sometimes find they have purchased refurbished PCs or servers at some point. However, these are not always positive experiences. In some cases, the customer didn’t even realise that they were being sold second-user kit by their existing IT provider!
 
IT hardware purchased from Vantage IT is always:
 

  • brand new and unused
  • hand-picked by our experienced IT engineers
  • powerful and reliable due to the latest technologies available
  • protected by a full manufacturer’s warranty
  • tested by us before installation

 

Refurbished IT equipment has been gaining popularity in recent years. This is often due to perceived cost savings compared with purchasing new devices. Should you therefore avoid buying new IT equipment any more? Our blog explores the differences between refurbished and new IT equipment to help you make an informed decision.
 

Pros and Cons of Refurbished IT

Many refurbished PCs will be supplied with limited warranties. However, it is worth bearing in mind these are usually not as comprehensive as original manufacturer’s warranties. The condition of refurbished machines also tends to be good, although be prepared for a few scuffs or scratches.
 
One other thing to bear in mind is that refurbished computers could already be several years old, meaning they will not perform as quickly as a brand new equivalent. Early Intel Core i5 processors are now around 9 years’ old. The latest 8th generation Core i5 CPUs are not only a lot faster, but they also have much lower power consumption. Computers will consequently run cooler and quieter.
 
It is not only the processors that have moved on though – before purchasing a refurbished PC, make sure it has the correct ports to correct to your monitors and peripherals, as these connections can vary, especially on older machines.
 

Purchasing New or Used IT

While refurbished machines usually carry lower pricing than new equivalents, this perceived saving may cost you more in the long term if your device becomes outdated soon after purchase, or if it fails altogether.
 
At Vantage IT we only sell brand new IT equipment, sourced from authorised ‘channel’ resellers. This ensures that the vendors will support the device, knowing it has been sourced from an authorised reseller. It also enables Vantage IT to be competitive in the marketplace.
 
We use our extensive knowledge to ensure all the devices we recommend are state of the art and perfect for your application. This saves you a great deal of time in the procurement process.
 
If you have any IT requirements, please contact us first because you might be pleasantly surprised at the cost of a brand new machine compared with a refurbished model.