Actually, I’ve always wondered what these computer places mean by “refurbished”. Anyone?
Refurbished units are “used” computers, usually this year’s or last years models, that were returned for one reason or another. Sometimes they’re returned unopened. The manufacturer opens them up, checks them out, replaces anything that needs replacing, loads software, and repackages them.
That’s what the manufacturers do, anyway. I don’t know what a retail outfit does. They might refurbish units themselves, or they might just get them from the manufacturer.
In any case, it’s essentially a new computer, but often very slightly out-of-date.
Ah, makes sense, thanks.
Yeah, think of refurbished as buying a used car that’s only a year or two old. Like a car, where there are a number of reasons why a car might be returned (lease is up; buyer defaulted on payments; owner decided to buy a newer car and use the old one as trade-in; etc.) a computer can often have similar things.
Well, i just got back from my visit to the stores. I checked out CompUSA, Circuit City, and Best Buy.
Their prices, unsurprisingly, were all very similar. In fact, they were generally identical for the same system. I’ve essentially narrowed my choice down to three systems, with a couple of caveats. The systems are:
1. The Dell Dimension 8300 system described in post #37 above.
$1,100 + shipping = $1,199 (no tax), with 17" LCD Flat Panel monitor.
2. HP Pavillion a450n system.
$999 + tax = $1,049 - $50 mail-in rebate = $999 without monitor.
3. Sony Vaio RS520.
Listed on CompUSA’s website at $1,049, but i saw it available today at Best Buy with a $100 rebate. So,
$1049 + tax = $1,104 - $100 mail-in rebate = $1,004 without monitor.
All three of these systems are very close in general spec, and all have:
P4 3.0GHz with 800MHz FSB and HT
512Mb RAM
160Gb HDD
Dual optical drives, including DVD+RW drive (Dell and Sony have second bay DVD-ROM, and HP has second bay CD-ROM).
128Mb video cards
WinXP Home
The video and sound cards vary slightly but, from what i’ve read, probably not enough that a user like me will notice a whole lot of difference.
Now, the caveats:
1. If i go for either the HP or the Sony, i have to sort out a monitor for myself. Today i found in Circuit City a Samsung 997DF 19" flat screen CRT monitor. It seemed very clear and crisp to me, and the scree size and resolution are in the ballpark.
Cost: $199 + tax = $209
This makes total cost for the HP $1,208, and for the Sony $1,213. So, all three computers fall within $15 of my $1,200 target.
2. Circuit City has a display model of the Sony, with all the same specs, for $879. It still comes with a full warranty. If i bought this with the Samsung monitor, the system would cost a total of $1,132.To tell you the truth, right now i’m getting tired of trying to make a decision, and am tempted just to go for the Dell and get it over with. I figure that any one of these computers will be light years better than my current system. And i also figure that each brand is reputable enough that the computers are all likely to do a pretty good job without breaking down. And i also figure that there will always be a chance of problems, no matter which computer i choose (and, yes, i even have Apple-owning friends who have had problems with their systems).
So, any last bit of advice would be welcome, but don’t take up too much of your time. You’ve all been very patient and helpful, and i appreciate your comments very much.
Go with the Dell, and the LCD monitor. 
I’d say the Sony floor model. I can’t imagine paying an extra $100 for a Dell. Yuck. And again, I don’t know squat about Pavilions.
Well, that’s what i’ve done. I just submitted the order, got a confirmation email from Dell.
In the process of choosing the specs for the computer, i noticed that i could save $40 by deleting the speaker option. I already have an Altec-Lansing 5-speaker system with subwoofer, so the two-speaker Dell system they were offering seemed superfluous. This brought the total price down to $1,158.
Then, pleased with myself for saving some money, i decided to splash out and spend $100 to double the system RAM, bringing it up to 1Gb (2x512Mb). Not sure if this was really necessary, but i’ve read in a bunch of places on the internet that WinXP really benefits from larger amounts of memory. Also, memory was the only thing that i upgraded on my old computer (from 128 to 256), and i figured that it’s generally easier–and maybe cheaper–to do it when ordering the system, especially with a company like Dell where it can apparently be more difficult to make modifications later.
Anyway, the deed is done. My estimated shipping date is June 17, so the computer should arrive around June 20-22. I’m going out of town for a week on June 19, so i probably won’t get to play with it until i get back. Once it’s up and running, i’ll report back and let you all know how it went.
Thanks again to everyone for all the advice. I appreciate it very much.
Good deal, enjoy and keep us posted when you back from your trip.
Too late!
I placed my order before i saw your post.
To tell you the truth, i did seriously consider the Sony. Then i went online and looked at a whole bunch of customer review websites, comparing people’s experiences with Dell, HP, and Sony, and in particular with the type of computers i was considering.
All three companies seem to have a lot in common, if the reviews are any indication.
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They all have their fair share of customers who get a lemon, and who swear they will never buy anything from that company again.
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They all have their fair share of customers who like the computer, but think that the after-sales support sucks dogs’ balls.
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They all have their fair share of customers who think that the computer they’ve purchased is the best, fastest, coolest piece of electronic wizardry ever offered to the consumer.
I’ve concluded from this that:
a) No matter which of the companies i buy from, there’s a chance i will have problems with my computer.
b) No matter which of the companies i buy from, if i don’t have problems then the computer is likely to do everything i want–and more–for the amount of time that i’m likely to keep it.
When the new one arrives, i’ll start tinkering with the old one so i can learn about how they are put together, and next time maybe i’ll build my own super machine.
Thanks again for the advice, kelly, and i hope that the Dell defies your expectations.