There has been some discussion on this in the past but can’t find anything current so here goes.
I use an old Windows laptop for controlling my CNC machine but its memory is failing and it keeps crashing with a BSOD.
I need to replace it, but don’t need anything at all fancy so would be happy to buy a customer return / refurbished or B-stock device. The required spec is a basic Windows machine, minimum 12" screen, 250GO SSD storage.
Searching online produces many pages of results with each supplier claiming to be the best. Can anyone recommend a suitable supplier from personal experience?
Amazon Warehouse could be a good place to start, often people return stuff for no good reason e.g. they don’t like the colour not because the item is faulty.
I have always been happy buying refurbished computers from Apple UK and Hoxton Macs, but that’s not much help as you want a Windows PC.
Dell sell refurbished computers - those ought to be OK, but won;t be the cheapest I would assume.
Or Morgan Computers have been going for years - they used to have a shop in Tottenham Court Road at which I used to window-shop whenever I was in London!
I bought a refurb desktop from these people and I was happy. It arrived with the wrong power supply and they sent me a replacement quickly. Then I discovered the little adapter in the box so it wasn’t their error at all.
PS try lenovo.fr’s sales which are regular or even outside of sales if you are lucky. 10% min should be gettable on anything. Their stuff is relatively reliable and I do remember seeing some quite good laptops with a very ok spec they were very cheap just cos older models. Supermarkets like Leclerc will soon offer some for school market, often cheap but lenovo in same price range seems better spec for older stuff. It’s new so guaranteed, got an idea thry used to do some refurbed as well presumably from corporate contracts
On the other hand, I bought a second, refurbished, Karcher internet radio from Amazon which was a bit dearer than the new one I bought previously.
But it cut out for a couple of minutes at a time now and again so made contact and was ready to send it back. Then I realised that I was having problems with my then Livebox so cancelled the return thinking it was that.
However, it still does it now, after a new Livebox and fibre came into play and my internet signal to the computer doesn’t interrupt. Not too bothered, it doesn’t happen often and is only for a minute or two.
Might sound a bit unusual, but have you thought of visiting your local Emmaus ?
The two different ones near us always have a range of used laptops and other computers for sale and the staff are always happy to hook them up so that you can try it before you buy it.
Thanks again for all the suggestions. I was generally surprised at how expensive the options were.
Having had a good look at what’s on offer, I’ve decided that the most cost-effective solution is to build a Raspberry Pi based computer, as the software I need will run on a recent Pi - but not on the Mk1 version that I have.
I bought a Lenovo ThinkCentre mini PC on Amazon earlier this year, which I use to host a Jellyfin media server. It was refurbished but arrived in very good condition.
I didn’t initially spot it only had DisplayPort, so had to also pick up an HDMI adapter for about 5€. I also ended up replacing the 256GB NVMe drive it came with as I wanted something bigger, but that was my choice.
A lot of people do use RPis as CNC controllers so it’s a good idea. I assume you already have the external hardware from when you used the laptop but depending upon how that was connected to your laptop, you may also need an external board. Lots of info online.
Steady on, my old stick! I had to return 3 x Samsung tablet bought from ‘Warehouse’'. AMZ take this stuff back. Someone plugs it in, powers it up. If it lights up and the home page appears they stick it back on sale. That there are more fundamental issues is not explored. The Sammys had deeper problems …
I have had stuff from Warehouse that has worked OK. I would only buy ‘As new. Packaging may be damaged. 12 month warranty’. Anything 'Refurbished by … ’ on AMZ is a no-no. By ‘refurbished’, see above.
Now I buy from corporate hardware resellers - pref German. Loads on eBay.
No Samsung product will ever darken my doorstep again after a I bought one of their expensive but shitty fridges twenty years ago and one of their shitty but expensive top of the range laptops fifteen years ago. Loads of features, non of which actually work.
Not that I bear a grudge or anything Fool me once…
Fool me once…