[Web4lib] Re: TechSoup Refurbished Computers?

Sat Apr 18 23:30:05 EDT 2009

Cary--

On Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 10:06 AM, Cary Gordon <listuser at chillco.com> wrote:

> For slightly more money, you can get recent and current model Dell
> Optiplex and Vostro Desktops from Dell Outlet sales that blow these
> ancient machines out of the water. While it changes from minute to
> minute, there were lots of very capable machines with Vista
> Business/XP Pro (latter installed) for under $300 when I looked just
> now. I am not sure about the Vostros, but the Optiplexes come with a
> three year warranty.

Good point.  When the top-of-the-line TechSoup Dells were $251, I looked at
Dell Outlet and decided that it would be smarter to buy refurbished boxes
right from Dell.  However, at $169 delivered, with XP Pro, an Optiplex with
2.8-3.0 would be plausible.

>
>
> If you call, Dell will assign you an outlet rep who can but together
> whatever number of machines you need at the price and specification
> level you request. Usually, this takes less than a week.

That still might be the best bet.  My dad used to say, "there's a difference
between being economical and being cheap."

--mike

>
>
> I have bought hundreds of servers and workstations from them over the
> last twelve years, and I am a very demanding, yet satisfied customer.
>
> Cary
>
> On Tue, Apr 14, 2009 at 9:44 AM, Ted Bazemore <tedbazemore at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > Thanks for the link, Bill. While TechSoup has a great price, I like to
> know
> > exactly what I'm getting for my money and that doesn't seem to be how
> they
> > operate. I've called them twice and emailed their customer service to
> find
> > out what model machines I could expect with no response in almost a week.
> >
> > While I appreciate all they do to offer refurbished computers and
> discounted
> > software, this doesn't encourage me to do business with them. Are there
> any
> > other recommendations on refurbished machines?
> >
> > --
> > Ted Bazemore
> > Assistant Director of Information Technology
> > Clayton County Library System
> > (770) 210-5237
> > ted at claytonpl.org
> >
> >
> >> Message: 5
> >> Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:53:43 -0500
> >> From: "Michael J. Dargan" <dargan at gmail.com>
> >> Subject: [Web4lib] TechSoup Refurbished Computers?
> >> To: Web4lib at webjunction.org
> >> Message-ID:
> >>        <52647a500904131753mc23aa73oef912775b9493c2 at mail.gmail.com>
> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> >>
> >> Hello--
> >> I'm looking for people who have purchased refurbished computers from
> >> TechSoup.  I see that they currently offer off-lease Dell 2.8-3.0 P4s,
> 512
> >> ram, and 90 day warranty for $169.  What am I likely to get?
>  Optiplexes?
> >>  Dimensions?  Vostros?  I figure I couldn't go too far wrong for $169,
> but
> >> still, I'm intrigued by the idea of buying 10--what's the worst that
> could
> >> happen?
> >>
> >> --
> >> Michael J. Dargan
> >> Reference & Technical Systems Administrator
> >> Waterloo & Cedar Falls Public Libraries
> >> twitter.com/MikeDargan http://tinyurl.com/6bxx8q
> >>
> >>
> >> ------------------------------
> >>
> >> Message: 6
> >> Date: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:12:42 -0400
> >> From: Bill Hudson <bhudson at lancasterlibraries.org>
> >> Subject: RE: [Web4lib] TechSoup Refurbished Computers?
> >> To: "Web4lib at webjunction.org" <Web4lib at webjunction.org>
> >> Message-ID: <FA1C83C019407847964B4BC3BDEA3E0872407672 at mail.lanco.lib>
> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> >>
> >>
> >> Hi Michael,
> >> We haven't purchased any used machines from TechSoup since we generally
> buy
> >> Lenovo Thinkcentre machines. But if you are interested in refurbs, check
> out
> >> www.systime.com They have a larger selection of Dells than TechSoup,
> >> though the prices tend to be little higher and the standard warranty is
> 30
> >> days. For comparison, here are the specs of machines we are considering
> at
> >> $179 a piece:
> >>
> >>
> >> IBM ThinkCentre S51 P4 3.2 GHz Small Form Factor Desktop
> >>
> >> The ThinkCentre S51 series is the stable platform that offers a blend of
> >> essential features and technology, including Intel processors, USB
> ports,
> >> numerous security features, and powerful software tools to backup and
> >> protect your data - all at an affordable price.
> >>
> >>    * Intel Pentium 4 3.2 GHz processor, 800 MHz FSB, 1MB L2 cache
> >>    * Intel 915G Express chipset
> >>    * 512MB DDR2 dual-channel memory (expandable to 4GB)
> >>    * DVD/CD-RW combo optical drive
> >>    * 40GB serial ATA hard drive
> >>    * integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 video
> >>    * PCI Express x16 graphics expansion slot
> >>    * integrated Broadcom Gigabit 10/100/1000 Ethernet networking
> >>    * Eight USB 2.0 ports (two front, six rear)
> >>    * Black small form factor desktop chassis
> >>    * Keyboard and mouse included
> >>    * Grade "A" condition off-lease system
> >>    * QC-tested, 30-day warranty (upgradeable to 3 years)
> >>    * Stable-platform solution for consistent system imaging and support
> >>    * Microsoft Windows XP Professional OS w/coa included
> >>
> >> We've purchased several dozen machines from Systime and I can recommend
> >> them as a stand-up vendor so far. (no affiliation or intrest in the
> company)
> >> We about to buy 60 plus of the machines above.
> >>
> >> BH
> >>
> >>
> *****************************************************************************
> >> Bill Hudson
> >> Deputy Administrator/Manager, Information Technology
> >> Library System of Lancaster County
> >> 1866 Colonial Village Lane, Ste. 107
> >> Lancaster, PA  17601
> >> 717-207-0500 ext. 1269
> >> http://www.lancasterlibraries.org
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> > -----Original Message-----
> >> > From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
> >> > [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Michael
> >> > J. Dargan
> >> > Sent: Monday, April 13, 2009 8:54 PM
> >> > To: Web4lib at webjunction.org
> >> > Subject: [Web4lib] TechSoup Refurbished Computers?
> >> >
> >> > Hello--
> >> > I'm looking for people who have purchased refurbished
> >> > computers from TechSoup.  I see that they currently offer
> >> > off-lease Dell 2.8-3.0 P4s, 512 ram, and 90 day warranty for
> >> > $169.  What am I likely to get?  Optiplexes?
> >> >  Dimensions?  Vostros?  I figure I couldn't go too far wrong
> >> > for $169, but still, I'm intrigued by the idea of buying
> >> > 10--what's the worst that could happen?
> >> >
> >> > --
> >> > Michael J. Dargan
> >> > Reference & Technical Systems Administrator Waterloo & Cedar
> >> > Falls Public Libraries twitter.com/MikeDargan
> >> > http://tinyurl.com/6bxx8q
> >> > _______________________________________________
> >> > Web4lib mailing list
> >> > Web4lib at webjunction.org
> >> > http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> > _______________________________________________
> > Web4lib mailing list
> > Web4lib at webjunction.org
> > http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Cary Gordon MLIS
> The Cherry Hill Company
> http://chillco.com
>
>
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>
>

-- 
Michael J. Dargan
Reference & Technical Systems Administrator
Waterloo & Cedar Falls Public Libraries
twitter.com/MikeDargan http://tinyurl.com/6bxx8q