Should I buy a refurbished computer?

If it is a Name Brand Computer (Dell, HP, Sony, Apple) and you are getting a certified refurb (you are getting it from an Outlet to gets it from the company direct, or the company's site itself). Then go ahead. In Brand Name Computers most refurbs are from situations like this.

Company XYZ has a service contract with Dell. The power supply dies for whatever reason, XYZ sends PC to Dell for repair, Dell sends XYZ a new PC of the same type maybe even switching out the Hard Drives for them so no information is lost, and then worries about fixing the broken PC. When they get around to replacing the Power Supply 5 weeks later they put in a hard drive and resell it as Refurb.

I am over simplifying but thats the basic way it works.

Absolutely! I have been working with computers for years. I totally believe in refurbished products. From comptuers to cell phones. The bugs have been fixed and they are typically better. Plus they come at a much cheaper price. Buy with confidence.

It's depend on the supplier reputation. Try to do some research about their reputation. Seek for their testimonials (if any) and decided whether you want to buy this PC or not. AFAIK, buying refurbished PC is not really a problem if you understand a little about the PC hardware spec, brand, etc.

Good hunt.

Make sure it also comes with a warranty from a reputable company, some do when they are referbished by the manufacturer.

Also it depends on what your paying for it, if you get it for a really good price then you have to weigh is it's worth it to you to take the chance that it may fail in 5 yrs.

It may very well be fine, there is no way of knowing.

Good question. And well it all depends on how much faith you have in the company that you are dealing with. But yes all in all if the manufacturer offers you a decent warranty (6 months or better) and the money is right then buy it. Tiger Direct is a big reseller of refurbs and I have only dealt with them a couple of times but I was satisfied with my purchases.

Caveat - you get what you pay for. not always a bad thing.

If your Dell is a Pentium 4 it might be worth fixing. Call Dell Tech Support and have them troubleshoot it to find what's broken and find the part(s) on EBay. On EBay you can also find refurbs and off-lease PC (those are PCs that companies have leased and the lease has expired so the finance companies take them back, rehab them and sell them on EBay. I have gotten some great deals on these for friends and family who don't need the lastest and greatest on the market, anything out over the last 3-5 years is perfect for anyone who's not a high-end gamer or needs to edit videos.

Sure. As long as it's certified right? I got refurbished flat panel 19" screen and works great.

In my experience, nothing "refurbished" has lasted very long after I bought it.

Id say no.

negative