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0 pointsgnicholas2y ago0 comments

I'm not sure it makes sense to compare new laptops with used laptops, especially since the latter generally don't come with any sort of warranty. And when you're buying off ebay (and can't inspect beforehand, like with craigslist/nextdoor), you don't even know for sure if it will work on day 1.

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samatman2y ago

> not sure it makes sense to compare new laptops with used laptops

It of course makes no sense at all. For any given laptop, you can also buy it used. Including MacBooks, believe it or not. It's a way of puffing up a comparison when the person making it knows the comparison doesn't stand on its own.

justinclift2y ago

Yeah, I'm kind of 50/50 about comparing them for the purposes of this conversation too.

In practical terms though, when I'm looking for a new laptop I do check both pricing of new and what's on Ebay. Sometimes I'll go with the new thing, and other times I'll get the Ebay thing, depending on the situation.

bombcar2y ago

I always keep an eye on those, but certified refurbished from manufacturers (whether Apple or Dell or HP, etc) are really good deals, quite often, and a known quantity.

I've no problem buying certified refurbished for work, whereas for home eBay off-lease is more acceptable because I know it's me dealing with issues if they crop up.

gnicholasOP2y ago

Yeah, I've bought refurb Apple devices from Apple, partly because they're always in pristine cosmetic condition, but mostly because you can buy AppleCare for them just as if they were new.

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jwagenet2y ago

I think for the general public this is a reasonable comparison, since the performance is good enough for most things on a 2 year old eng pc for less than half the msrp. I would expect most corporate refurbs on eBay to be moderately reputable, and eBay is know to be consumer friendly.

WesleyLivesay2y ago

Shouldn't you then compare it to a 2 year old Air? They seem to be in the $600-$700 range on eBay.

bombcar2y ago

You can get a refurbished Air direct from Apple for $749. Cheaper from other places online.

justinclift2y ago

Probably a good comparison point as well. :)

gnicholasOP2y ago

I would consider buying a used computer from a person, if I could test it in advance. I don't think I'd ever buy a computer sight-unseen off ebay. They may be customer friendly on balance, but they're unpredictable enough that I wouldn't want to spend that kind of cash and risk being completely screwed.

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samatman2y ago

> not sure it makes sense to compare new laptops with used laptops

justinclift2y ago

Yeah, I'm kind of 50/50 about comparing them for the purposes of this conversation too.

bombcar2y ago

I always keep an eye on those, but certified refurbished from manufacturers (whether Apple or Dell or HP, etc) are really good deals, quite often, and a known quantity.

I've no problem buying certified refurbished for work, whereas for home eBay off-lease is more acceptable because I know it's me dealing with issues if they crop up.

gnicholasOP2y ago

Yeah, I've bought refurb Apple devices from Apple, partly because they're always in pristine cosmetic condition, but mostly because you can buy AppleCare for them just as if they were new.

1 more reply

jwagenet2y ago

WesleyLivesay2y ago

Shouldn't you then compare it to a 2 year old Air? They seem to be in the $600-$700 range on eBay.

bombcar2y ago

You can get a refurbished Air direct from Apple for $749. Cheaper from other places online.

justinclift2y ago

Probably a good comparison point as well. :)

gnicholasOP2y ago

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