Refurbish (v): to brighten or freshen up – Merriam-Webster’s Online dictionary. Essentially, when one refurbishes an item, and for purpose of discussion, some type of computer, you are actually using an old item which has undergone adjustments to give it the appearance that it is new. When one purchases a refurbished computer, one also purchases a headache waiting to occur. So just why is investing in a new computer much better than investing in a refurbished one? The list below shows the reasons why:
1) A new computer assures you that the parts are all new and have not gone through any misuse or wear and tear. Upon purchase, the computer comes with a seal of warranty plus a warranty card saying that all its parts are brand new and in good working condition. A refurbished computer, on the other hand, does not have this guarantee and might even be an electric “Frankenstein”. Since a refurbished computer has logged minutes of use, wear and tear, or even damage can be hidden. When this happens, the computer is much more prone to bogging down, or even losing information. On the flip side, a brand new computer removes any doubt as to its parts and ensures that it has the capability to operate as a new item should, without defects or hidden damage.
2) A new computer’s problems may easily be solved. At the point of purchase, a new computer comes with a tech support team system which refurbished computers do not have. Once your pc experiences a glitch, help is only one phone call away. And the problem is easily identifiable. However, a refurbished computer, with all of its various parts and cosmetic changes, aside from being more susceptible to breakdown, is more prone to hidden glitches (for instance viruses or system malfunctions) because of the previous use of the hardware. So whenever a refurbished computer has a problem, there’s no 24 hour, seven days a week help desk to request assistance. In the long run, one has to diagnose the problem through trial and error, and this not just increases cost but also inflates losses.
3) A new computer’s cost may be front loaded, but ultimately it might be less expensive. The argument that it would be more cost effective to buy a refurbished computer than a new one is misleading. Firstly, though it’s more expensive to purchase a brand new unit, this cost is just a one time expense at the start. Costs for maintenance and repair are practically nil as it is a brand new item. This also equals to productivity for the purchaser. On the other hand, a refurbished computer may have low front end cost upon purchase, if the computer bogs down, the price of repair is magnified by the loss in productivity. Also, it is much more expensiveto keep an on-call technician to diagnose an issue unlike in a new one, the help desk can certainly provide solutions.
So why is a new computer a more cost effective investment? It is due to the warranties and the totally free help desk. Though initially it is more costly to get a new computer, the long term benefit far outweighs the cost of getting a refurbished computer.
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