Buying Used Computers and Software

When it comes to electronics, we tend to think the newest items are the best. But used computers and software can be perfectly good for doing all that you need a computer to do. Just shop smart and follow a few basic guidelines.

Used Computers

The first computer I ever bought was a hand-me-down from an old roommate who was upgrading, and I used her old machine for several years with no problems. Students are a particularly good resource for secondhand computers because they can get discounts on new machines and may be more likely to discard a perfectly good old one, especially if mom and dad are paying. My first laptop came from a grad student who got a new computer as part of her study program.

Look at refurbished models. Many manufacturers recondition computers that get traded in or are abandoned by a previous owner who didn't want to make a repair. These refurbished computers are then sold at a discount, sometimes even with a warranty.

Take a risk on a repair. Many people are intimidated by computers (I'm not gonna lie - I'm one of them!), and if the slightest thing starts to go wrong with theirs, they sell it for cheap and just buy a new one, assuming that once a computer has a problem, it's doomed. While some machines may, in fact, be better off in the recycling heap, others can be fixed easily and inexpensively. Replacing a dead hard drive, for instance, is an easy repair that usually costs less than the cost of a new machine and can give you years of use. If someone is selling a broken computer, ask if you can have it checked out to determine what's wrong with it and if a repair would be affordable.

Used Software

Previously owned software, from business programs to games, is available from a variety of sources, including:

• Individuals - If a person bought software that came with more than one license, and they only used one, the other licenses are still available for use. You can buy the software from the previous owner and still legally install and use the software on your computer. I bought a Microsoft Office suite several years ago that came with three licenses, but I only had one computer, so I only used one of the licenses.
• Businesses - As with individuals, businesses buy lots of software, but they don't always use all the licenses, and they tend to upgrade more often than the average user. To recoup some of their costs, when they upgrade businesses sometimes sell their old software. Just verify that the software you are buying still has a license available or that you can transfer the license if they have all been registered.
• Retailers - A number of retailers carry pre-owned software, including online retailers such as Retrosoftware.com and brick-and-mortar outlets like Half-Price Books. GameStop is a popular choice for both buying and selling used game programs.

One word of warning for the used software buyer: It's not always possible to attain technical support for older or used software, so if support is important, you may want to stick with buying new. But before you pay full-price for the latest and greatest stuff, check for used computers and software that might be just what you need for far less!

Buying Used

Frugal Computer

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