How do I tell if my laptop from dell is refurbished?

Question

The case and everything is new, but I'd like to know if the insides are somehow refurbished...
should I be worried about refurb'd parts?

Some of you have assumed information I had not given, which is my fault.
They sent me this as a replacement for a laptop I bought 3 years ago that never worked right. I finally got them to send me a replacement and they said it might be refurbished. So i'm not sure

Answer 1

If you bought it new from Dell, then it's NEW. If you bought it from someone, I'd hope that it is reburbished.

But refurbished is not bad, and here is why.

During normal production, hundreds of computers whiz by the inspection team. Mistakes happen, and about 10% are NO GOOD. These are often set aside and fixed and sold as refurbished. Others are shipped BROKEN, so you face the hassle of getting it fixed. But when you buy a refurbished machine, it has been fixed and totally tested.

Computer components are too cheap to bother to repair. So there is no such thing as refurbished RAM or CPU chip. If your computer works, then it's FINE.

But Dell laptops by their very nature SUCK. The old latitudes were pretty good, but the current inspiron series is poorly made mechanically. You can expect touchpad and keyboard problems. Toshibas are SOLID as a ROCK. Old IBM Thinkpads were awsome too, but they aren't made anymore.

If you are buying a DELL, try calling the tech support line... you will be on hold of 30 minutes or longer. That jerk won't even know what a computer is!!! Then try the Toshiba tech support line... you will be talking to a real person that knows his stuff in about 5 minutes.

If you buy a Toshiba laptop from Staples or Costco, you can TAKE IT BACK if it does not work. You can get your money back, or buy a new one. When you buy a DELL, you have to get a broken one FIXED. You see, even NEW might come to you as DEAD.

Good luck and Happy Computing!

Answer 2

Not to worry. No matter who the manufacturer or how much you pay, you can get a "lemon" at any time.

Actually, refurbished might be better. When you get a new PC, it has not been used and if something goes wrong, you have to return it. With refurbished, someone has tried it and the problem resolved. My sister got an exceptionally good deal on a refurbished laptop from Dell - with software installed as a bonus - my other sister got a Dell desktop, refurbished, with software, and has had no problem for two years now.

Additionally, your laptop probably came with some sort of warranty - so use it and be happy. You probably saved some money, too.

Answer 3

Dell Remanufactured Laptops

Answer 4

Federal law requires that any retailer must label any electronic as refurbished if it is pre-owned. However, if you bought the computer from someone other than a retailer, the law does not apply (e.g. buying it from Ebay).

Regarding your second question, refurbished electronics are not inherently bad. For example, someone could have bought a computer and decided it wasn't right for his needs. He returns it for a refund or exchanges it. As a result, the computer must be labeled "refurbished" even if there was nothing wrong with it in the first place.

Answer 5

Go to the Dell Support website and enter your laptop's unique ID. There will be more information there for you.

I have included a link to the Warranty Site. Check there first.

Answer 6

If you purchased it directly from Dell, it should have come with some sort of warranty. No reason to worry about the parts.

If it was not specifically stated that you were buying a refurb, then I dont' think it would legal to have refurb parts inside.

Answer 7

The invoice will tell you if you bought a new computer or a refurbished one.

Answer 8

They would have to tell you if it was refurbished. They are not allowed to sell refurbished products saying they are new.

Answer 9

Without dismantelling the unit there is no way to tell but as you have a full warranty what are you worrying about.