Buying Refurbished Computers for New Technology Acquisitions

Buying Refurbished Computers for New Technology Acquisitions

From our Tech Talk Tuesdays Webinars vault, we are taking the popular episode, “The New Normal: How Tech Leaders Need to Approach Technology Acquisitions” and have turned it into a blog-friendly format, showing how to review new and refurbished computers and select the best device option for an organization.

Refurbished Computers in officeTechnology Requirements Shift to Support Remote Work and Learning

The new year is now here, and many organizations are expecting to continue purchasing more technology to support increased mobile workers, staff, and students. The shift of work from home and remote learning has triggered increase spend on not only IT hardware but has added costs for updating older IT infrastructures, moving to the cloud, and enhancing cybersecurity.

So how are tech leaders going about in continuing to acquire technology for unexpectedly larger remote workforces and learning environments while meeting business demands and staying within budget?

The Simple Answer: Consider Refurbished Computers

Determining which are better, new computers or refurbished computers, is a little harder but as discussed in the webinar, you can follow this approach laid out below, to help you come to a decision.

Ask These Questions First

  1. What problem am I trying to solve with this purchase?
  2. What is the use case for the hardware being purchased?
  3. What is my budget?
  4. What is my project timeline?

Review Your Organization’s IT Hardware Requirements and Available Options

After those questions are answered, move onto device requirements and options. Be sure to include options for both for new computers and refurbished computers.

  • Device Specifications & Performance
  • Availability
  • User Experience & Support

Once you have your device options laid out, review to see which best suits your organization’s needs – new computers or refurbished computers?

Remember to think ofnice to have vs. need to have” when reviewing specs and performance. Nice to haves tend to lead to overbuying and overspending.

To help you see how the process can be applied to organizations making technology acquisitions, below are 3 case examples taken from the webinar.


Use Case #1: Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) for Call Center
Refurbished computers desktops in call center
  1. What problem is being solved with this purchase?

Refresh call agent stations

  1. What is the use case for the hardware being purchased?

Web-based apps, soft phone, shared storage

  1. What is the project scope & budget?

3,600 units, 18 locations, 2 client images to be deployed, undecided on budget.

  1. What is the project timeline?

Project to be rolled out over 6 months with staggered shipments.

 

Desktop computers for consideration:

Dell OptiPlex 7060 SFFNew Computer Option

Model Dell OptiPlex 7060 SFF
Processor Intel Core i5 -8500T 2.4GHz
Memory 8GB
Storage 128GB SSD
OS Load Windows 10 & Client Image
Warranty  4-Year

 

Dell OptiPlex 9010 SFFRefurbished Computer Option

Model Dell OptiPlex 9010 SFF
Processor Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz
Memory 8GB
Storage 128GB SSD
OS Load Windows 10 & Client Image
Warranty 4-Year


Availability
New Computers: Available
Refurbished Computers: Available

Specifications & Performance
– Both new and refurbished computers: Same specs (memory and storage) and can handle use cases easily.
– New: 8th Gen CPU scores 78% better on PassMark Test

User Experience & Support
– Both new and refurbished computers have imaging and staggered deliveries available and 4-year warranties.

Summary
– Both: Checks all boxes on buying questions and criteria.

Client chose the desktop refurbished computers because they would be able to refresh all of their needed call agent stations with the use case criteria met, and the units came in 58% less than new hardware.

Use Case #2: Public School District

Laptops in classroom

  1. What problem is being solved with this purchase?

Refresh end-of-lease hardware before school year starts in August.

  1. What is the use case for the hardware being purchased?

1-to-1 student devices and web-based apps

  1. What is the project scope & budget?

12,500 units, 13 locations, out for bid – would like to work with 1 vendor for leasing, services, and hardware.

  1. What is the project timeline?

Bid awarded in May with a July delivery.

 

Chromebooks for consideration:

Lenovo 100e ChromebookNew Computer Option

Model Lenovo 100e Chromebook 11.6”
Processor Intel Celeron N3350 1.1GHz
Memory 4GB
Storage 32GB SSD
OS Load Chrome OS
Warranty  1-Year with 3-Year Extended

 

HP Chromebook 11 G5 EERefurbished Computer Option

Model HP Chromebook 11 G5 EE – 11.6”
Processor Intel Celeron J3060 1.6GHz
Memory 4GB
Storage 32GB SSD
OS Load Chrome OS
Warranty 1-Year with 3-Year Extended

 

Availability
New Computers: Available to meet timeline
Refurbished Computers: Available to meet timeline

Specifications & Performance
– Both new and refurbished computers: Same specs (face value) & can handle use cases.
– New: Newer CPU 85% better on PassMark Test

User Experience & Support
– Both new and refurbished computers had standard 1-year warranties with the ability to extended 3-year with accidental protection coverage. White glove service and leasing options were available on both as well.

Summary
– New: 85% better CPU performance and meets all criteria.
– Refurbished: Marginally lower price and meets all criteria.

Client went the new Chromebooks since it had about an 85% CPU performance increase, with only a small marginal price difference.

Use Case #3: BPO for Call Center
  1. Refurbished computers WFH

    What problem is being solved with this purchase?

Enabling end-users currently on desktops to work remotely.

  1. What is the use case for the hardware being purchased?

Web-based apps, shared cloud storage, Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom calls

  1. What is the project scope & budget?

500 laptops; budget undisclosed

  1. What is the project timeline?

ASAP due to stay-at-home orders.

 

Laptop computers for consideration:

Dell Latitude 7400New Computer Option

Model Dell Latitude 7400 – 14”
Processor Intel Core i5 1.6-8365U
Memory 8GB
Storage 256GB SSD M.2
OS Load Windows 10 Pro
Warranty 5-Year

 

Dell Latitude 7450Refurbished Computer Option

Model Dell Latitude 7450 – 14”
Processor Intel Core i5 2.3-5200U
Memory 8GB
Storage 256GB SSD M.2
OS Load Windows 10 Pro MAR
Warranty 5-Year

 

Availability
New Computers: 60 to 90 day delivery
Refurbished Computers: 2 to 3 week delivery

Specifications & Performance
– Both new and refurbished computers: Same specs and can handle use cases easily.
– New: 8th Gen CPU 156% better on PassMark Test

User Experience & Support
– Both new and refurbished computers have 5-year warranties.

Summary
– New: 156% better CPU performance. However, units are more expensive and will not meet the timeline.
– Refurbished: Cost 68% less than new and will meet timeline

Client went with the refurbished computers because the problem was solved, use case criteria was met, came in 68% less than new laptops, and met the timeline.

Many conditions can play into what type of devices are best suited for your organization and depending on the immediate needs, it can be new equipment, refurbished computers, or a mixture of both.

If your organization is one of the many planning to continue spending on technology throughout the year, make sure to apply this approach before acquiring more devices.

Need a quick start to the approach? Simply fill out this form (takes less than 1 minute) and we’ll help you find the best device options for your organization.

 

Watch the full webinar, The New Normal: How Tech Leaders Need to Approach Technology Acquisitions

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