Buying A Used Computer?

---

We are often asked, should I buy a used computer and how much should I spend? "I've been told of this great deal on a used computer, but is it really worth it?"

To really answer this question several things need to be considered.

Who Is The Seller?

• Computer theft is on the rise! Do you know and trust this person?
• Is this computer being sold online from a private party or at a swap meet?
• Is the computer being sold from a reputable business?

The first thing is to be aware of who you are buying this computer from. Many computers these days can be identified as soon as they connect to the internet and if it has been reported stolen, you could find yourself answering some embarrassing questions from where did you get the computer to questions about content that may be on the computer from pornography to pirated software. Further, you could be out the money spent on the computer.

Of course the biggest reason for buying a used computer is the cost. Quite simply, a used computer is usually considerably less expensive than a new one. Most used computers that come from a reputable business will still carry some sort of warranty, often from 30 days to as much as 1 year. It's a good idea to check that there is some sort of warranty in writing before buying. Excellent sources for used computers are sources that employ the disabled to repair and/or refurbish used computers. This employs many that because of their disability may not otherwise be able to work. Many computers that come from a business or charity are usually only a few years old, perhaps from an expired lease, and will likely still run the applications that are used today. If you do by from a private party, try and have the computer checked out as thoroughly as possible as there is no warranty. Buyer beware!

Will A Used Computer Suit Your Needs?

• What do I want to use the computer for?
• Do I want to use the computer for playing games?
• What are the requirements for the applications you want to run?
• Do I want to watch streamed videos over the internet?
• Am I just using the computer to read email, surf the web and visit social websites?

What About Price?

Several things affect the price you should pay for a used computer.

• How old is the computer?

Older computers may have original parts that have more time on them and may fail. Also, older computers will not be as fast and may not run all of the latest programs.

• What is the overall condition of the computer? Has it been taken care of? Look for smoke damage on the inside. Is there tar stuck to the components? This can be easily seen on the interior of the case. This coating will make it harder to keep the components on the main board cool.

Don't be afraid to ask to inspect the computer before purchasing it, particularly if this is a private party purchase.

• Check the overall condition of the computer.
• Pay special attention to the outside connectors, especially the USB ports as often users try to plug in USB devices upside down and when forced damage the port.
• Make sure CD/DVD/Blue Ray drives open and operate properly.
• Listen for noisy fans as this may be a sign of impending failure.
• Check for airflow to ensure the fan is working properly. Don't be afraid to ask the seller to open the case so that they can be visually inspected.
• Check that there are NO gaping holes from missing devices or covers. This effects airflow within the case.
• Check audio, video, USB, mouse and keyboard ports for proper operation.

Some of these items are easy and inexpensive to replace if missing or broken and should be considered in the price. Damaged on-board ports however are another matter and failure may indicate an impending board failure leaving you with a useless heap of junk.

Three of the biggest things to consider that will impact price are:

1. The processor. What type and generation is the processor. DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Know what you need to run the applications that you want. A lot of computers are sold with Celeron processors. For some, that may be alright as they are considerably cheaper but there is a performance price paid for the lower price.
2. The memory. How much memory is installed in the computer and how much will it cost you to upgrade the memory to adequately run the applications you want. Look for the suggested amount, not the minimum amount. The minimum amount required means that the program will run but it may run extremely slow and even slower once updates are released and installed.
3. The hard drive. Not only do you want to be concerned about the size of the hard drive but what type is it. IDE (PATA), SATA, SCSI, Solid State? Make sure it is large enough for your needs and check prices for replacement drives.

We don't really consider the operating system or software part of the purchase as there are free versions of both available. Also, if purchasing a used popular brand computer, often software restore disks may be purchased from the manufacturer for a nominal fee to restore the computer to the state it was in when originally purchased. We suggest checking with the individual manufacturers for details. Most will require a model number and serial number and perhaps a service tag number if used to identify the proper software and driver pack originally installed on the system.

Purchasing a used computer or even giving one away is a great way to recycle and keep these out of our landfills. There are other ways to recycle as well such as donating these to your local charities. Local charities often refurbish these for families and disabled people. If you have an old computer you want to recycle but you're not sure what you should do, follow these Ten Tips for Donating a Computer at TechSoup.org The technology place for nonprofits.

Feel free to contact User Friendly PC to answer any questions you may have at (775) 200-6171 or by email.