Off Lease Computers

United States
June 15, 2008 2:47pm CST
I am planning on buying a new computer in the next year and I've noticed "off lease" computers. These are computers that were leased and then sold as used. They look pretty good and the company I saw selling them say that they clean them and check them out much in the way a car dealership checks out new cars as being "certified". The only thing I don't like is that most of these computers have limited storage, about 40GB. But, the processing speeds are very high. So, has anyone bought an off lease computer? If so, was it a good thing? I've only owned used computers, so I'm used to older technology.
2 people like this
8 responses
• United States
15 Jun 08
I think that it could potentially be a good deal...my last computer was off-the-shelf from Staples, but prior to that, it was a corporate owned computer that I bought from a local computer store. They refurbished it and it worked fine until I ran out of space!
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Jun 08
I've mostly had hand-me-downs from my relatives after they've upgraded. So, I'm used to really old stuff sometimes. I know how to fix up computers, too, and get the maximum out of them. So, it might be a good thing.
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Jun 08
Good luck--I'm clueless when it comes to fixing up computers (all I know is that inside the case is a LOT of dust!). I just gotta get my kid to stop downloading music and pick up some RAM!
@sk66rc (4250)
• United States
16 Jun 08
The way computer improves almost on day to day basis, you might find some large stores getting rid of or clearancing out their "old" computers... Some times, their version of "old" computer may not be more than few month or a year old at the most... Some of those "clearance" models have more features & hard drive spaces then some of the computers that has been used for few years, & may be even cheaper or at least around the same price... It might pay for you to shop around a little before committing to "off lease computer"...
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Jun 08
I've been looking around for a long time and had even helped someone else buy a new computer very recently. The processing speed and power of the lowest priced new computers are about the same as what I am using now. I need something more powerful and the off-lease computers I've seen for sale at reputable shops have the power I need at the best price. I may upgrade the hard drive myself. But, I will still look around as I have time to wait.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
15 Jun 08
Companies that buy computers tend to keep them for a long while in order to minimise the expense, but if the computers were on lease to a company them I expect that they will be only a few years old. This type of purchase could be a real bargain. Also, if the only problem is the hard drive size then you could very easily add a larger hard drive.
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Jun 08
That's what I'm thinking. The computers I saw have decent processing power and could probably handle at least twice or even three times the hard drive space.
• United States
15 Jun 08
Darlene Matt my boss will buy used computers from companies that are upgrading theirs and then I refurbish them. I wipe the hard drives, put windows XP for which we own a bulk licensing partnership with Microsoft, I put all of the hardware through extensive testing and then clean and polish up the cases, when I get done with a refurbished machine it is almost like new. I have yet to have a customer call back with a complaint on one of my machines. They are affordable and cost effective for many people. You just have to do some back ground research before you buy one from any particular company. You can not trust every repair shop that sells used computers just like you can not trust every used car salesman.
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Jun 08
This place that I saw them for sale is a place that I've done business with before and have had good results. But, I think I can get them even cheaper somewhere else. It sounds like you are doing exactly what they say they are doing to these computers. What's great about these is that they are sometimes less than half the price of a comparable new one.
@callarse1 (4783)
• United States
16 Jun 08
It depends on your needs. How much are the computers compared to a new computer that you want? You said they have 40 GB, will that be enough space for you? It sounds good if you are looking for a computer to do the basics, but if you need a computer to do a lot more like store movies, music, and have lots of software 40 GB doesn't sound like too much. You may consider buying new, or perhaps buying the off-lease computer. Then you could add external hard drive to it. What do you think? Pablo
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Jun 08
I mostly work with photos, but don't really store a lot of video or music. I'll have to see how much I really use on the computer I have now which has more storage. But, like you said, I can buy an external hard drive.
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
16 Jun 08
So long as you don't need "Bleeding Edge" technology and can get a bigger hard Drive,It sounds like a great idea! I first got online with a refurbished 486 running win 95- I just wanted a machine to surf the net,not music,videos..I've never bought a full computer since..I've had 2 other base units since,and upgraded monitors at different times..good luck with the decision!
• United States
16 Jun 08
That's how I am. I basically like to have whatever the minimum is to do what I like to do. Right now, I like to work with my photos and watch TV on the internet. My current computer's processor isn't good enough to do what I want to do at the moment, but I don't think I need the fastest, most expensive computer out there, either.
• India
16 Jun 08
any day a brand new computer is better than a second hand one. either way these days technology goes so fast. what is new today is old tomorrow
• United States
16 Jun 08
I've heard people say that all the time for the last ten to fifteen years. I don't really need the latest technology and some of these computers are more powerful and faster than a lot of the computers I see on sale new.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
15 Jun 08
Large companies and educational institutions periodically sell their old computers as they upgrade and they're usually in good shape, having been used during regular business hours and not abused as some personal computers can be. When I worked at the community college they sold old equipment every couple of years and also donated a lot of it to schools, day care and community centers. I still have an old Compaq that I bought from there seven years ago and it still works great. It sounds like a good option to me.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Jun 08
That's good to hear. I remember when the library that I worked at was changing their computers, I asked to buy one of the old ones. But, the guy scoffed at me saying that no one would want to buy one of those. Well, when you don't have a computer or you have a really old one, then you would want one of those. I just have to see if the storage capacity is compatible for me. I am a photographer, so I store a lot of photos. But, I can get a second external hard drive if I have problems.