Everyone knows that buying used is a great way to stretch a budget, but is it really a good idea to buy a used computer? The answer to that question is “Yes, but…”.
First, a little background info:
Computer technology evolves so quickly these days that a brand new PC will become yesterday’s news in just a few months. A state-of-the-art system with all the bells and whistles – and selling for top dollar – will likely be equivalent to an entry level model in about a year.
And now for the double whammy: As computers get ever more powerful, they also tend to get ever cheaper. Just a few years ago a top of the line PC would set you back about $3,000. Today, you can get a souped up speedster for around 1/3 of that amount! The fact of the matter is today’s entry level PCs are hundreds of times more powerful than the speed demons of yesteryear, and they are on sale everywhere starting at around $400!
Now, back to the question at hand…
How much should you pay for a used computer? In my opinion, the answer is actually “Not much”. Regardless of the age of a used PC, how much use it has received or how technologically advanced it is, you should never pay more than 1/2 of what you would pay for a brand new entry level model. After all, you’re buying old technology, and it probably won’t come with a warranty. And that old technology will get even older with each passing day.
About the author: Rick Rouse is the owner of RLROUSE.COM. He is also an A+ Certified Computer Technician with over 30 years of experience in the industry.