IT Professionals

Refurbished Computers – There Is A Growing Market Here

Posted by on Aug 15, 2008 | 2 Comments

Regardless of the hype and glamor that comes with the purchase of a brand new PC, there is still something to be said for being able to make functional use out of a refurbished one instead. Whether the motivation stem from perceived financial savings or environmental based on another PC that will not be in a landfill, at the end of the day it does seem that refurbished PC sales are going strong.

To be honest, I believe the most complex decision for most people is deciding how much they wish to spend, what the PC is to be used for and whether or not there is an operating preference.

On the Windows front, Microsoft has been kind enough to provide a certification process for OEMs looking to selling “refurb’ed” PCs. Once the OEM has achieved Microsoft’s MAR status, then they can proceed with selling refurbished PCs installed with an appropriate version of Windows. Based on my own refurbishing experiences, I would be shocked if the MAR was using anything beyond Windows XP as Vista has hardware requirements that mean newer hardware.

As for Linux as a refurbisher’s OS of choice, things are a bit simpler from a licensing perspective. Regardless of the selected Linux distribution, there is no need for any sort of status. As a matter of fact, some nonprofits have found Linux to more than meet their needs for refurbishing PCs. FreeGeek of Portland, OR is a stellar example of this.

So which option is best for you? Ah, well if you are looking to refurbish PCs for your own home, then I would simply consider gathering the hardware you need together, selecting either an OEM copy of XP (license rules apply) or a distribution of Linux, then get to building!

Those looking to do this sort of thing as a business with Windows however need to make sure that they check in and get themselves qualified with Microsoft so they can gain MAR status. This said, those looking to do this with Windows can simply go for it as the licensing is much more lax. You do not need to gain any sort of status to pre-bundle Linux. Just follow the rules of the GPL and make sure you understand that while no one is going to jump on you for installing restricted codecs on your home machine, distribution is an entirely different matter here in the US. Get yourself over to CNR.com and buy them! While I do not need them myself as all of my music is converted to OGG Vorbis, it is a good idea if you are planning on distributing PCs with Linux installed.

  • Steve

    Microsoft will accomplish exactly the opposite of its stated objectives.If every motherboard I replace has to have a new copy of Windows when I upgrade it, most of my clients will decline the upgrade and get a new machine. This means either the rebuilder (me) can buy a new copy of Windows or trash it. Since more than likely it is an older machine with limited value, my time and costs involved will make the unit not cost effective to rebuild it. Then, I’ll trash it and fill up the very landfills Microsoft is apparently so concerned about.

    The idea that the original media must be used is disasterous. Most home users did not even get original media from the “Big Boys” in the business. They were supposed to burn their own iso image from their hard drives, but had no idea they needed to or why. Calling the “Big Boys” for a disk is at best a very time consuming process not to mention expensive for my client. I don’t really want to add a half hour or more time to every rebuild trying to explain why I need the original media to someone that can’t speak English or possibly understand me at all.

    Another thing… Since XP is not readily available from my Microsoft distributors in every flavor, all the time, some will be forced to go to Vista. Since Vista requires more hardware power, some will throw away those older machines and buy new ones. Since its not generally cost efficient for me as a rebuilder to rebuild it with a new copy of Windows XP or upgrade to Vista, I’ll either trash it, sell it wholsale to someone that will put an illegal copy of Windows on it and undersell me, throw it away to a landfill, or put Linux on it. I wonder which is the most morally responsible answer.

    More than likely, to be a good citizen of Planet Earth, I’ll put Linux on it.

    The option of being in violation of Microsoft’s new licensing and going to jail or just legal action is too great for me. My pockets aren’t deep enough for such things.

    This is a terrible policy from Microsoft. Watch as those of us that have been Microsoft users and rebuilders trade our Microsoft software for the Linux world just to stay competitive and stay in business. Microsoft can only blame themselves as we walk away. Sad, very sad.

    Steve

  • Chris Elrod

    I feel that being able to take an old computer that has been traded in or is going to the dump and be able to put it back in working condition to offer those with less money to have not only helps poorer people obtain a computer but also cuts down on the waste going to our landfills. Microsoft’s MARS policy was created only for the big boys. I have a small computer store and accept donations and trade ins. If the customer is no longer using the windows that is on it, then what harm is there in refurbishing it to donate to charities or offer at a lower price to those who can’t afford a new computer. Many schools now require students to do homework on computers and many families can’t afford them. I donate older windows 98 and 2000 systems to several charities to help those in need. MS is jsut a very greedy company. A small store like myself could never be able ton aquire the MARS certification. The systems I donate and sell are systems MS doesn’t even support any longer. It seems they had rather see our landfills covered with old PC’s than to loose money on someone restoring the machine for good use. They go against the policy they claim to uphold. They could care less about our landfills or the poor. They will always do all they can to make even more money and hurt others in the process.