Monday 22 October 2007

A Smart Buyer's Guide to Refurbished Computer Parts

As much as buying brand new hardware is fun, sometimes it's just as well to buy an older part or machine. The wonders of the net have allowed us access to computer parts that would otherwise be obsolete; it's a treasure trove of eclectic old parts, which are necessary when you want to keep a legacy machine going.

This is especially important in regard to "enterprise parts" like servers and routers, because many companies invest tens of thousands of dollars in systems which only run on particular components. "Upgrading" to an entirely new system would cost a company millions, so it's essential they have access to older parts long after they've been discontinued.

The need to keep legacy systems going spurred an entire industry furnishing customers with used, refurbished and unused parts. As mentioned before, the internet has helped this along greatly. However, the internet has also made it easier to pass off counterfeit parts as authentic for unassuming buyers. When it comes to buying older parts, buyers can be a bit bit confused in looking for clues to an items authenticity. Thanks to guidelines provided by Pyramid technology services, a company reputed for its quality refurbished computer parts, we can offer some tips:

From the source:

  1. "Look at the color of the serial number. Cisco's own color is a yellow-orange; counterfeits are darker. The numbers may appear crowded and even rub off on the phony items."
  2. "LEDs on blades should all be the same size."
  3. "Watch the color on loop-back buttons on wan interface cards: it should be dull, not bright red."
  4. "Real cisco boards usually have solder points covered with nickel-zinc, not copper, as seen on counterfeits."
  5. "Inside the RJ-45 connector, cisco parts will have the word "Steward," not "GLG."
  6. Always deal with a well-established value added reseller. Look for a dealer who rigorously tests everything and who backs up sales with a warranty."
  7. "Stick with sellers who belong to the ASCDI (the Association of service and computer dealers International). They have an established code of ethics and an arbitration procedure in place for any problems that might arise. "
Source
Photo Credit

10 comments:

Refurbished computers said...

You have to be quite lucky when buying things as sometimes people who buy new ones also get stuck up in raw deals.

cheap computers said...

Refurbished computers are worth buying. But I have found that owning a refurbished Mac can be very worth the investment, especially if it is for someone who is not especially tech-savvy. A refurbished Mac is usually very affordable and very reliable. For someone who is just wanting a computer to do the basics, this is a very good option.

John said...

should be careful while buying computer parts chance of malfunction

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this website said...

ice post. I like the way you start and then conclude your thoughts. Thanks for this information .I really appreciate your work, keep it up

Benita Bolland said...

It’s definitely a must to tread cautiously, when you’re buying refurbished parts. There’s always a risk that you get a unit that has hidden damages, which is very frustrating. It’s important to ask about their warranty and their return policy to ensure yourself that you have a chance to test the computer. :D

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