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How old can a refurbished be?

post #1 of 21
5/7/09 at 3:45am
Thread Starter 
I just bought a Dell XPS M1330 refurbished laptop. I know they have a 21 day return policy, so I figured it couldn't of been used more than 21 days by a customer. But after I looked at the specs I noticed the processor Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7500 is pretty old and is no longer offered for the M1330. So now I am wondering how old this unit could really be. I wouldn't want to buy a refurbished unit if it's been used for like 6 months or longer. What are the chances?
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post #2 of 21
5/7/09 at 10:19am
Generally, a refurbished notebook may have been used only a few days. Returning items during the 30 days grace period (from many manufacturers) occur because customers didn't like the screen, the keyboard, too heavy to carry etc.

The T7500 is not "old", Pentium M CPUs are still being sold. If you don't like the CPU specs, return it or negotiate for a free upgrade.

cheers ...
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post #3 of 21
5/7/09 at 10:23am
Thread Starter 
That's good to hear but what worries me is that CPU is old enough to be way past a 30 day return window. It's not offered on the Dell site(that CPU option) and hasn't been for at least a few months. What do you think?
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post #4 of 21
5/7/09 at 10:24am
It could also have been a review model that was sent out to be reviewed and returned within the same time period.
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post #5 of 21
5/7/09 at 10:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dman777 View Post
That's good to hear but what worries me is that CPU is old enough to be way past a 30 day return window. It's not offered on the Dell site(that CPU option) and hasn't been for at least a few months. What do you think?
The return applies for the whole notebook, not depending on the individual parts. If they can't replace with the same specs, chances are that you will get some better parts.

cheers ...
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post #6 of 21
5/7/09 at 10:49am
Thread Starter 
But being the T7500 dates back to 2007 it would be less of a replacement part more than something better if the laptop was only a few months old. To be honest, my main concern is have a LCD screen and Keyboard that has been used by a human for a whole year(since the CPU is no longer offered and dates back to 2007 and maybe a customer with an extended warrenty was able to get Dell to switch it for a new one after a hole year of use) in which the LCD screen is less bright from age and keyboard not as healthy. These wouldn't constitute replacement when being refurbished, but yet be not be in the best shape.
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post #7 of 21
5/7/09 at 12:55pm
A revamped over-one-year notebook is not refurbished, in my book. As mentioned, a refurbished comp falls in the category of returned items within 30 days. Sure, it can sit on the shelves for a year, but not being used for over a year.

Unless that it is clearly stated in the invoice, I would personally return it and ask for another refurbished system.

cheers ...
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post #8 of 21
5/7/09 at 1:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dman777 View Post
But being the T7500 dates back to 2007 it would be less of a replacement part more than something better if the laptop was only a few months old. To be honest, my main concern is have a LCD screen and Keyboard that has been used by a human for a whole year(since the CPU is no longer offered and dates back to 2007 and maybe a customer with an extended warrenty was able to get Dell to switch it for a new one after a hole year of use) in which the LCD screen is less bright from age and keyboard not as healthy. These wouldn't constitute replacement when being refurbished, but yet be not be in the best shape.
A lot of current notebooks still sell the T7500
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post #9 of 21
5/7/09 at 1:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by qhn View Post
A revamped over-one-year notebook is not refurbished, in my book. As mentioned, a refurbished comp falls in the category of returned items within 30 days. Sure, it can sit on the shelves for a year, but not being used for over a year.

Unless that it is clearly stated in the invoice, I would personally return it and ask for another refurbished system.

cheers ...
I could be misunderstanding you, Q, but I think you're confusing "gently used" or "recertified" with "refurbished". To the best of my understanding, a refurbished system means there was something initially wrong with it, the customer returned it to Dell (in this case), Dell fixed all the problems, cleaned it up, and now is selling it again at a discount. This is contrasted to "returned", where there was nothing actually wrong with the unit but a customer decided they didn't want it (or it was a review unit). Returned units should definitely have less than a month of use on them, but I don't think you can say the same thing for refurbished units.
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post #10 of 21
5/7/09 at 1:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Djembe View Post
I could be misunderstanding you, Q, but I think you're confusing "gently used" or "recertified" with "refurbished". To the best of my understanding, a refurbished system means there was something initially wrong with it, the customer returned it to Dell (in this case), Dell fixed all the problems, cleaned it up, and now is selling it again at a discount. This is contrasted to "returned", where there was nothing actually wrong with the unit but a customer decided they didn't want it (or it was a review unit). Returned units should definitely have less than a month of use on them, but I don't think you can say the same thing for refurbished units.
I could be a bit "hard" on insisting that refurbished systems come from a 30days usage after opening box. But in regards to fixing up comps that has something (mechanically) wrong with it, I would not see it as refurbished; using the word wrongly, may be.

I need to update my definition of refurbished systems:

"Refurbished computers are essentially used computers that have been re-certified back to an original like condition.

Used computers are sourced from a few different places, like purchasing off-lease, corporate environment, computers which go through internal re-certification. Other sources for used computers include new open-box, customer returns, and customer trade-ins."

Thanks for the input.

cheers ...
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post #11 of 21
5/8/09 at 1:51am
refurbished could include a lemon computer which was replaced too. when dell gets a return for any reason they fix any thing obvious and do a bit of testing and if everything is good, they ship it off to the next sucker.

this are pictures of a refurbished m1710 i got not too long ago as a replacement for my old one which was having overheating problems







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post #12 of 21
5/8/09 at 8:33pm
They sure "miss" the re-certification within the refurbish-cation by miles. That sure was shoddy work from Dell! I can see some minor cosmetic issues in refurbished systems, but inside like that?

*wondering where is our Dell rep here *

cheers ...
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post #13 of 21
5/12/09 at 10:23am
Someone here just posted they got a E1705/9400 as a replacement for a Bad 9300.

So one discontinued laptop for another
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post #14 of 21
5/12/09 at 10:41am
yeah, that doesn't surprise me in the least. i got the 1710 as a "refurbished" replacement about 6 months ago, and they where out of production for a year by then.
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post #15 of 21
5/12/09 at 12:41pm
I am staying away from Dell refurbished systems!

cheers ...
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post #16 of 21
5/12/09 at 12:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by qhn View Post
I am staying away from Dell refurbished systems!

cheers ...
One of my friends bough a Latitude D800 from the Dell Outlet (not sure if it was returned or refurbished) and it was in excellent condition. While some of Dell's refurbs end up being bad (like the one shown on the last page), some also turn out fine.
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post #17 of 21
5/12/09 at 12:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by qhn View Post
I am staying away from Dell refurbished systems!

cheers ...
I have gotten lucky I guess. I have 2 notebooks and one desktop that are refurbished. No problems here. I got them from the outlet, and I will do it again.
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post #18 of 21
5/12/09 at 12:58pm
Cool, don't open them up They might give you a scare like with woodstock.

cheers ...
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post #19 of 21
5/12/09 at 12:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Djembe View Post
One of my friends bough a Latitude D800 from the Dell Outlet (not sure if it was returned or refurbished) and it was in excellent condition. While some of Dell's refurbs end up being bad (like the one shown on the last page), some also turn out fine.
I would say most turn out fine.
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post #20 of 21
5/12/09 at 1:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by qhn View Post
Cool, don't open them up They might give you a scare like with woodstock.

cheers ...
His was a replacement, I think. Not bought from the outlet.
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