Quote:Refurbishment (electronics)
Refurbishment is the process of maintenance or minor repair of an item, either aesthetically or mechanically.
"Refurbished," in reference to computers or laptops, means that the equipment was returned to the manufacturer either because the customer simply didn't want it or a minor problem was found. Before re-selling the equipment, manufacturers fix and certify the unit and sell it at a discount.
Refurbished products cannot be sold as new products in the US, which is why they are relabeled as refurbished or refreshed units even if they are good-as-new (if, for example, the unit was returned for some reason unrelated to the product itself, i.e., the customer changed his mind about the color). Refurbished items may or may not have scratches, dents or other forms of cosmetic damage which do not affect the performance of the unit.
Refurbished items can be sold at a cheap and affordable price.
The main difference is the products are retested and come under the same warranty that a new product would. If you are on a really limited budget, refurbished is a good way to go since you are just getting something that is "like new" at a much lower cost. There's not that much to really worry about with them, anything that can happen to them can just as easily happen to a new product. In fact, think of a refurbished product as something that already has a lot more testing in it.
On a side note, I have bought 3 refurbished computers from Geeks.com (for members of my family). Up until I had given it a try, I would have never bought a refurbished computer. However, I've not had a single problem with any of them and I saved a lot of money and got something that was just as good as a "new" computer. Don't be afraid of give it a try, at worst, it breaks and you send it back for a replacement if it's under warranty still (some products have limited exchange replacement limits though).
On another side note, in American culture, some people don't like the idea and would rather just buy new (usually uppder middle-upper class, people with money). Similar trends exist in fashion where people only buy the current trend of seasonal clothes and nothing else. Likewise with consumer products who have endorsements of their favorite celebs, actors, etc... Coke vs. Pepsi where some people only drink one and would never stay in a hotel that served the other (I'm not making these things up!) Last example pertains to cars. Some people would only drive new cars and trade them in each couple of years. Others would rather buy used not for the sake of saving money but for the sake it's proven the vehicle works. A lot of troubles arise from buying new cars as they are not "broken in yet", so that's another perspective on the new vs non-new topic.
There are many, many more examples, but I think you get the idea now [smile]