How to Find Cheap Used Computers

Cheap used computers refer to computers that are just two or three years old.  Leased computers that have come to the end of the lease period sometimes known as off lease computers are auctioned to the wholesalers who sell them at cheap rates to value added resellers who in turn refurbish them and sell as cheap used computers.

Thus it is possible to get a quality used cheap computer usually at ten percent of the cost of a brand new computer. Companies spend about two thousand to three thousand dollars each on laptops or computers and use them for two or three years and they are then considered as used computers. Since they purchase these computers in large quantities, the prices are kept low for them. Through this, the companies sell a higher quantity of used computers and thus purchase a larger quantity of new ones and get even lower pricing.

Buying cheap used computers has a lot of benefits like lower cost of ownership, they are tested and checked for quality and the loss due to theft or damage is minimal. The highlight of buying a cheap used computer is the lifetime warranty, which covers as long as a person owns the computer. The lifetime warranty includes parts and labor for 30 days and a labor -only warranty thereafter which is non-transferable .The parts that are covered for warranty include keyboard, system board and related boards, optical drives, floppy drives, adapter and screen. Any physical damage from dropping the laptop, liquid drop and so on and damage as a result of shipping are not covered.

Recertified computers are the ones that are fully checked and sold with a warranty, which ensures that they work perfectly. Buying such a refurbished computer is the safest way to get a nice cheap used computer. If the computer is for simple school assignments, web surfing and e-mail then it can be purchased for as low as 300 dollars without a monitor because a monitor costs 100 dollars or more. Cheap used computers loaded with a CD writer, hard drives, good memory and windows XP can be got on low prices online.

Some cheap used computers can be upgraded and will be much faster. While some are recertified brand name computers, others are good but not branded. The major advantage of these computers is the capacity to upgrade the graphics card to processor in a year or two and increase the speed of the computer. If the computer has AGP slot, an inexpensive new graphics card can be added later on.

While buying a used cheap computer, certain tips should be borne in mind:

Hardware: A computer should be checked to see if there is any start up glitches and verify the programs installed.
Memory: a hard disk of 810 MB space on the hard disk and a 16 MB Ram would be apt.
Operating system: The latest operating system must have been installed.
Processor: At least 120 or 133 Pentium processor must have been installed on the computer.
Discreet components: While buying used computers, if one integrated component fails, the entire motherboard will have to be replaced. So, discreet components must be insisted while buying.
Warranty: A refurbished computer may be more beneficial if it comes with a guarantee.
Before buying a cheap used computer it must be done a test drive