Technology changes so quickly, and keeping up with the latest and most innovative devices on the market can be a challenge. When you’re in the market for new technology, there are choices for your device: to buy a new device or to buy a refurbished device. Let’s take a deeper look at what refurbished means, and the pros and cons of buying refurbished vs. new devices.
What Does Refurbished Mean?
Refurbished, when speaking of technology, refers to older or used technology that has been either restructured or replaced to work like new. It usually refers to the hardware being replaced or updated with newer, faster, and more innovative tech than that which originally came with the device.
Pros of Buying Refurbished
- Refurbished technology is usually cheaper than the newest option on the market.
- The refurbished devices come cleaned and repaired as they are sent back to the manufacturers.
- They come looking like new, undamaged and completely unscathed. They appear to be no different than a new device. You wouldn’t be able to tell visually that a device has been refurbished.
- Refurbs are environmentally-friendly and give people an option to recycle tech rather than trash it. This reduces our electronic waste as a whole.
- You can get older models of devices that are refurbished, and usually a lot less expensive than the first and newest option on the market.
Cons of Buying Refurbished
- Refurbished items don’t give you the history of the device, you don’t know how the person before you treated the device, and don’t know when it was purchased. It is tough to get the original accessories that came with the original device
- Lifespan is unknown. For example, battery life cannot be checked or tested so you’re taking a chance on the lifespan of the battery
- Refurbished devices don’t come with warranties.
Many people have different reasons for buying new or refurbished. Sometimes people want a second device and don’t need it to be the best, most fully loaded option on the market. Most refurbs work out great and don’t show signs of problems, even though they’re recycled. Let this guide help you decide which option is best for you. If you have more questions about refurbished or new technology, reach out to us with your questions. M&H Consulting, LLC offers professional IT consulting & support for small- and medium-size businesses in the Boston and surrounding New England areas. We are based in Natick, Massachusetts, and offer full-service technical support and development focused on all the technical needs of the small business. Contact us at today at 1-(866)-964-8324.
Categorised in: computer, recycle electronics