Pre-owned Computers:

Buying New Does Not Always Compute

Computers and cars actually share a lot of attributes. They both can be highly-specialized for certain tasks and needs. They both can have a very short or very long period of usefulness. They both can confound people that are not familiar with their inner workings. The biggest similarity, I think, is how when they are bought brand-new, they both immediately lose value after purchase. Thankfully, there are also plenty of reasons buying a pre-owned computer or laptop can save you money and suit your needs in a similar way that buying a pre-owned car versus buying new can save you money.

Worried about the computer equivalent of buying a lemon car? Don’t be. Not only can you rest assured about the quality when buying pre-owned from TBGoods, but below we’ll go over some tips that will help you make a good decision in finding a machine that is just right.

Sports Car, SUV or Scooter?

You don’t want to take a scooter up on the highway for a cross-country trip. And do you really need a big SUV if you’re just driving around the corner?…(seriously, please don’t be one of those people – ed.)…And while that racy Italian sports car definitely turns heads, it’s a bit of a waste getting it if you are only driving around on streets where the speed limit is 25mph. Just like finding the right car for your driving needs is important and makes good financial sense, it’s important that what is under the hood of your next computer matches up with your needs, too, and there are just as many choices out there for computers as there are car models (if not more!)

Maybe you are the on-the-go type, and just want something to get your email, check Facebook, shop on the web, and maybe watch videos on YouTube. Netbooks are perfect for this…tiny, ultra-portable, and hardware that doesn’t pull a lot of power (so a longer battery life per charge). Also in this category are the newer Chromebooks from Google. Again, ultra-portable, these little laptops are meant almost purely for going online and not much else, so they don’t have a lot of horsepower, but that means a very long battery life. The obvious downside to these is that you might be limited on what else you can do with them…remember the scooter-on-the-freeway example above?

Maybe you are the gamer, and want…no, need…the fastest speed and biggest processor, not only for the wow-factor of the best graphics, but also because lag kills. You definitely will need something beefy and fast to handle what you will be running, and some normal measly hand-me-down desktop just ain’t gonna cut it. You may not need the most memory (ram) or most powerful processor(CPU), but you’ll definitely want the fastest that’s within your budget, and make sure it’s got an adequate graphics processor (which is part of the computer that specifically handles, well, obviously, processing the graphics).

Now for the power users, like using heavy video or audio applications for example. These are the SUV drivers. This is where the difference between power and speed will really shine, and you’ll definitely want to make sure you’ve got something that’s going to run everything that you are throwing at it.

So why buy pre-owned?

Cost would be the number one reason here. If you can get a desktop, laptop or even tablet that fits your needs exactly, and for half the cost (or less!) of buying brand new, that seems like a no-brainer, right? Again, just like purchasing a used vehicle, there are a few things to look out for when buying a pre-owned computer, but fortunately it’s just about as easy as kicking the tires.

According to Lifehacker.com, here are a few things to check before deciding to buy a computer:

• Check the frame and body for cracks, dings, or surface damage.
• Check the screen for haze, dead pixels, or discoloration.
• Check the inputs, ports, and optical drive for any broken or malfunctioning ones. Bring peripherals with you if possible.
• Check the included software, and if anything licensed is included, make sure the keys or media are available to you.
• Check the keyboard and trackpad for signs of heavy use, wear, or any broken keys

Remember, these aren’t necessarily deal-breakers for your computer, just like a ding in the fender of a car won’t matter for a daily commuter. The important thing, again, is finding the right one to match your needs and stay within your budget. Lucky for you, the associates at TBGoods can help you out here. Come in and we can match up the perfect laptop or desktop, let you test drive it, and even offer a protection plan, so there’s no need to worry about getting a lemon. Best of all, you are getting a great price and helping to recycle! Stop by either of our locations today, or check online and see what we have just perfect for you.