This post is brought to you by refurb.io.
I worked in sales for a worldwide computer retailer for over ten years. One of the complaints that I most frequently heard during that time was that tech products were too expensive considering they became technically obsolete within weeks or months. Clients would buy a computer on a Monday only to find out a week later they’d been discontinued and replaced by another model that had barely any differences.
I was in sales for a couple of years when we started carrying refurbished products. Refurbished products can be fantastic. I almost always look at refurbished items first whenever I am shopping tech. I am often amused by a person’s reaction to the mention of a refurbished product, because generally that reaction demonstrates that they don’t know what it really means. Let me explain it.
When you see a refurbished product for sale at an Microsoft Authorized Gold Certified Partner such as refurb.io, you are looking at a product that has been restored to function as if it was new or one that can’t be sold as new. It might have a minor scratch or blemish. It might not. It might have been previously used on a lease. It might be a display product. It might actually be something that was never used at all, but rather something that was purchased and returned before it was used. It could even be a model that is still available for sale elsewhere s new for substantially more money.
Worried about the quality of the product? Of course you are. Money doesn’t grow on trees. We work hard to earn the money, and want to be sure we’re getting a good value when we make a purchase on things like tech products. The last thing you want to see is an old banged-up foodservice box containing a computer delivered to your doorstep. (Yes, really.) You want to be sure of the product you’re going to get before you even put your credit card info in when you’re ordering.
Knowing that the company selling your product is recognized by the “big guys” is a good place to start for piece of mind. refurb.io, a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher, puts all products through a process of cleaning, certification and quality testing at their ISO 9001 certified facility before selling one to you the consumer. They are so confident in their process, products and work that they attach a one year warranty to computers. Want to know what a computer from refurb.io looks like? Just look at their website. The photos on their website are real photos of real products taken at the refurb.io warehouse.
Buying a refurb.io product enables you and I, the average working person, to buy a higher end computer at an affordable price. We get a greater value for our money this way. Currently you can find a laptop for as little as $195 from refurb.io, and a desktop for as little as $79, and a desktop system with monitor for $129. Prices like these mean updating the 8-year old paperweight that works when it wants to is more of a reality. Have a student in high school or college that needs a computer? This is a great option that allows you to save some money while giving them the tech they need to do their work.
And there’s another benefit you might not have thought of.
Ever tried to get rid of a computer? Many garbage pickups and dumps don’t want them. They’re not the most eco-friendly, after all. Buying refurbished means you aren’t putting a technically new product into use.
So tell me. If you were computer shopping – which would be more useful to you right now – a desktop or laptop – and why.
CONNECT
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One (1) winner will receive a $100 refurb.io gift card. The winner may be from the US or Canada.
HOW TO ENTER.
Enter using the Giveaway Tools widget below. The winner will be selected by the Giveaway Tools widget. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that you must complete the mandatory required entry, and that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. No PO Boxes. Mom Knows It All is not responsible for prize delivery. Good luck to everyone!
My hubby had a refurbished phone once and was always really happy with it. Great way to save.
This is great! I don’t need the latest and greatest computer or electronic device. I just need one that’s relatively up to date and doesn’t cost me an arm and a leg. Thanks!
The laptops on that site are so inexpensive. This sounds like and awesome college option!
I actually Prefer a desktop computer. I have a desktop my husband has a laptop and he always uses mine.
I’d love a laptop for blogging on the go.
This is great! It’s great to know you can get an electronic device for a decent price that does everything you need it to. There is nothing wrong with refurbished.
I prefer to buy most of my electronics refurbished as long as I get a decent warranty. It saves a ton of money.
I have bought several refurbished tech products before. I never even noticed a difference between them and ones I bought new.
A new laptop would be most helpful to me right now because my desktop is fairly new, but my laptop is a clunker. Great giveaway!
Love this, great concept. The perfect way to save a few dollars.
That’s a hard question. I rely upon both heavily. I really need a good desktop for work with a larger screen.
technology is really so expensive. And they do become obsolete so fast. Great way to save
A laptop would be more useful to me. I am always on the go, so a laptop just makes things easier!
What a great giveaway!
I’m always on the go so a laptop would be most useful right now. My desktop (knock on wood) is pretty solid. 🙂
We always try to look for refurbs before buying new electronics. You can’t go wrong helping the environment while helping your bottom line!
Hubby got his Christmas surprise laptop and I got his hand-me-down–so I suppose my own laptop.
We have bought refurbished products before. We could use a new laptop. We just upgraded the desktop.
Wow I’ve never heard of this before! Sounds really great and like a good way to save and get what you want!
A laptop would be much better — I don’t have anywhere to put a desktop and I enjoy sitting on the couch watching TV while I’m on the internet.
I’m pretty committed to having a laptop now. I like being able to move out of my office for a change of scenery.
A laptop would be more beneficial for me because I can take it with me when I travel. I also like a laptop because I am not stuck in one room as I am with a desktop.
I love buying refurbished technology! Great way to save some money too!
I have had quite a few refurbished products. I recently took my laptop and got it off the desk so that I am to using it as a desktop anymore. Now I am using a desktop that I just purchased. My laptop is about 4 years old and it was a factory refurbish from ASUS and I still love it.
A laptop because my daughter needs one.
A desk top would be most useful to me. I prefer the desk top and mine sounds like a 747 is in there right now from start to finish. The fan is really working hard despite my taking it apart and getting rid of dust in there. Probably not the greatest of signs (and I hate the constant noise).
What a great way to save money on electronics. I need to get a second computer in the house as my son is using ours almost as much as I do!
I have bought many refurbished products. Great way to get what you need.
A laptop because I already have a desktop and I’d love to be able to do things on the go!
What an awesome way to get a great deal! I always use a laptop. I like the portability.
I would take a laptop. That way we could have his and hers.
My daughter buys refurbed all the time – I will definitely share your post with her.
I have used quite a few refurbished products with warranties and they work just fine.
I tend to like brand new…however, my brother is the king of refurbished products. Since warranties come with it it’s a win win for him!
as long as the warranty is good I’m fine with refurbed . My last laptop was a refurb and it lasted as long as some of our brand new ones
Definitely a laptop – for sure. I just don’t have a spot where I have access to everything I need so I need to be able to go into different rooms to work.
What a cool way to get a great deal! I’ll have to check it out!
This is so great! I could really use a new laptop or printer for the family!
Wow this is so cool. I think I saw one of the kiosks at the mall here. I’ve never used a refurbished electronic, but I’m not opposed to it either. Great way to save.
I could really use a laptop. My desktop computer is slowly dying and I would love to have mobility instead of being stuck in one place.
To be honest I’m always worried about giving refurbished tech a try, but I would be willing to from a trusted source.
I’m ok w refurbished. We are cautious with spending so its always an option we look to.
I’ve gone with refurbished in the past and had no problems with it. If I was to shop right now, I would go with a laptop. I’m always on the go!
I’ve never bought refurbished, but I’d certainly get more use from a laptop than a desktop right now. This looks like a great resource.
a laptop because I need to travel with it and could do my work anywhere.
I would love to try a new laptop, I currently use a desk top and like it but the other would be able to use anywhere
I’d rather have a desktop so my kids will have their own PC to use.
A laptop is most useful to me as I rent a room and a desktop would just not fit in the room. A laptop is also much for convenient for me when I travel.