Refurbished laptops. Yay or nay?

[OrmRenewed]

Want to get one each for my eldest DC. We have a bit of spare cash atm and want to get these now as I think they are going to need them for hw etc over the next few years.

But is it a false economy buying refurbished? Anyone got experience?

We had one from Dell. It was rubbish. Lasted about 2 years. I wouldn't buy another.

I can only speak for Apple, don't know about other makes as I've never had another make, but with them you get the full year warranty and three months telephone support that you would with a new machine. There is no difference in buying new and buying refurb.

Thanks. I was looking at a DELL actually. Will think again.

Just ordered 2 brand new Acer netbooks. Does everything they need - also ordered MS Office as they seem to be expected to submit all their hw on Word.

My day-to-day computer is a Dell Mini 9 I got as a mail-order return refurb. Cost about £130. Perfect when I got it, aside from being in a plain brown box, and has operated faultlessly since.