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RSS feeds's sister publication What PC? regularly reviews the latest, most powerful PCs. They have the hottest graphics cards, the fastest processors and the largest storage space. All well and good if you plan to use the power on offer but, in truth, these systems do not come cheap.
If you want to save money and still get a good bargain, there are few options open to you. You can try a new budget machine, but it may leave you lacking in certain areas. The other option, and one we do not often hear a lot about in the computer press, is to buy second-hand.
As with any product, buying second-hand has its pros and its cons. You could end up with a bargain, but you could end up buying something of dubious quality and legal status.
If all you wish to do is write emails and letters, you do not need to buy an expensive, powerful PC. This point cannot be stressed too strongly.
Decide what you want to do with your PC, determine what software and peripherals you need, and then buy your computer.
In this feature we look at different sources for getting hold of PCs, various warranty options and the benefits and dangers of buying outside normal retail channels. We will also advise you on what to look for in a second-hand PC to ensure it best suits your needs.
All part of the processor
The very latest systems offer generous specifications: 2.4GHz processors, 120Gb hard drives and 512Mb of super-fast DDR Ram are standard. However, this kind of power is rarely used by most people, and the most popular PC programs need only low minimum specifications to operate successfully.
You may have heard of the importance of 'future-proofing': buying the best computer available to ensure it will not go out of date quickly. There is a modicum of truth here, in that the higher the specification of the system, the longer it will keep up with the very latest systems.
However, any computer you buy now will not spend long at the cutting edge. Newer, more powerful models, with quicker processors and larger memory, will soon outstrip it. This changing of the PC guard usually happens every 12 months, or even sooner.
The advantage of this is that the advent of a new processor reduces the costs of previous ones. For example, the launch of the Pentium 4 lowered the prices of Pentium II and III processors.
The central processing unit (CPU) is the heart and soul of your computer. There are different types on the market, each designed to handle various workloads. The two main competitors are Intel and AMD. Here is a brief guide to the state of play with different processors:
Pentium II: First released in May 1997, this Intel CPU now exists mainly in the budget section of the second-hand market and a large percentage of pre-owned machines will feature this processor. Although three generations old, Pentium II-based machines are still useful for games and other applications, especially if fitted with a fast graphics card. Expect to pay from £250 to £400 (inc VAT).
Pentium III: This is at present the most popular processor, and can be found in many desktop PCs. It can handle most tasks, has a long life span and often comes at a reasonable price when bought second-hand. Expect to pay £500 to £700 (inc VAT).
Pentium 4: Intel's P4 is designed for performance workstations. It's been built to deal with graphic and internet programs, video and audio streaming, and digital image processing. If all you want to do is run standard office applications, a P4 is overkill. Because it is the latest processor, you are unlikely to find many second-hand systems.
Celeron: Intel's baby processor is based on the Pentium II and built for the low-end sector of the market. It is inexpensive, but is suitable only if you wish to surf the internet, use basic programs like word processors and spreadsheets, and run undemanding games. Expect to pay £250 to £500 (inc VAT).
Athlon: AMD's Athlon has been built to compete with the Pentium III. Its more powerful sibling, the Athlon XP, now competes very successfully with the Pentium 4. The performance of the Athlon and Athlon XP processors is very impressive. Expect to pay £500 to £750 (inc VAT) for a decent Athlon.
Duron: Sitting at the lower end of the home and small office markets, AMD's Duron competes and shares the budget market with Intel's Celeron processor. As with the Celeron, expect to pay £250 to £500 (inc VAT).
Depending on your intended usage, you need to decide which processor best suits your needs. If you want to save money and get a basic package for word processing and email, a Pentium II is good value. If you are more interested in running multimedia applications, a second-hand Pentium III or Athlon will fit the bill.
Connectivity is also worth considering. If you buy an older machine, check for USB ports, as some will not include them. With so many peripherals now using USB connections these ports are a must, although you can buy expansion cards from companies such as Dabs to add them.
FireWire and SCSI are purely optional extras. You only really need FireWire for video editing, and this will require at least a 500MHz Pentium III processor with a 40Gb hard drive.
Memory is another very important factor. Be sure to get at least 64Mb of Ram, as many programs and peripherals now require this amount. If you do get an older machine, check whether there are any free memory slots.
And find out whether they are Simm, Rimm or Dimm sockets. If you want to upgrade your memory at a later date, it will be harder to find the older Simm memory cards. The most popular memory nowadays is DDR Ram, which fits into a Dimm slot. We'd advise checking www.crucial.com for any Ram issues.
Also check for free PCI slots on the motherboard, which will allow you to install new graphics, sound or network cards. It is good to have at least one spare PCI slot for future upgrading.
If the computer has just one removable drive, you might want a free 5.25in external bay as well, so you can add a CD-RW drive, DVD player or burner.
What to look out for
When buying from a refurbishing outlet or a private seller, you need to be very careful and thorough to get a good deal. Here are a few things to check if you can get your hands on the computer before buying:
- Get a proper copy of every piece of software sold with the computer. Programs installed on your machine with no original disc will be of no use to you if you have to reformat the hard disk and reinstall the software. Make sure you are given the CD or floppy disks with the programs on them, including the discs for the operating system. These should be fully boxed with all appropriate serial numbers and passwords included.
- Make sure you get all the driver disks included with the computer. You will need drivers for different features such as the sound card, graphics cards and keyboard. You can download drivers from the internet, but it is best to have the original drivers on disc.
- If you can, get hold of the original purchase receipts.
- If you can format the hard disk and re-load the operating system, do it.
- Dial out to test the modem.
- Try the monitor on different resolutions and refresh rate settings; check the brightness and contrast.
- Check TFT screens for dead pixels, which appear as black or coloured dots.
- Reboot the computer a few times to check the boot process.
- Get the original packing if it is available. You may need it later if you want to sell it on.
- Try reading and writing from the floppy drive.
- Play a DVD movie or audio CD if the computer has the appropriate drive. Try burning a disc if there is a CD-RW present.
You may not be able to perform all these tests, but do as many as you can. You should also check the exterior of the computer for wear and tear.
Give the specs a thorough look to make sure they match with the ones advertised. Go to Settings/Control Panel/System/Device Manager to check the listed features. It is worth getting any seller to send you a signed list of specifications in case you need it as proof in the future.
The golden rule is to ask every possible question you can think of and persist until you get a satisfactory answer. You might seem pushy and rude, but be confident. Pushy people tend to get ripped off less.
Where you can get your PC
Compaq Auction: The Compaq Auction site offers all the bargain hunting glory of an auction site with the full service and customer care backup of the Compaq name. You can be confident of not receiving any fake products from a major manufacturer such as this. Just be sure to check the prices of these auction items against the normal retail prices to avoid buying a turkey.
The computers here are either retail returns, excess or discontinued models. Retail return products comprise returned units, evaluation units and cosmetically blemished units. All products are tested by Compaq and restored to a fully functional condition.
Excess products are new unused items resulting from manufacturing over spill. Discontinued products are new unused items that are end-of-life, i.e. no longer 'current' products on general sale.
Tel: 0845 270 4000 www.compaq.co.uk
Dell Outlet: The Dell Outlet is a section of the computer giant that sells on refurbished PCs at discounted prices. All of Dell's computers come with a 30-day total satisfaction guarantee, so some computers are returned to Dell from dissatisfied customers.
Dell disassembles and rebuilds the returned systems to the original factory specification. The machines are then fully tested and packed into brand-new boxes.
The outlet can offer PCs at discounted rates, simply because they are returned. The massive advantage of this over other second-hand PC sources is that Dell is so confident about the testing procedure that it offers a limited warranty on all refurbished systems. Different models have different service agreements, so check on the website for full details.
Tel: 0870 905 0150 www.euro.dell.com
Morgan Computers: Morgan is one of the UK's leading dealers in surplus, overstock and closeout (discontinued) computer stocks. It has a gigantic range of second-hand goods at its disposal, and this leads to some very reasonable prices.
It has branches in London, Birmingham and Manchester and also a nationwide mail-order department. Morgan also runs one of the largest online auction sites in the UK, where there are some great bargains.
For second-hand, ex-demonstration and refurbished equipment, warranty periods vary, but in all cases these are clearly stated. It is worth going to the site and signing up for the Morgan Flyer, a monthly price list, which is mailed to you.
Tel: 020 8575 0055 www.morgancomputers.co.uk
Warranty and insurance
Beware of the warranty when buying second-hand. Often you will not get one and, even if you do, it will usually last no longer than three months.
Make sure to check all the details of the warranty before you buy, as you could lose all your money if something goes wrong outside the warranty period.
Get the warranty transferred to you if the computer is still under warranty when you buy it. If you contact the manufacturer, they can confirm the warranty details for the particular model. Ask them to check whether the warranty can be transferred to your name.
You can also organise insurance through your own broker or through a company such as Complete Computer Cover on 020 7628 3661 or www.completecomputercover.com.
You can also contact a firm such as Burnett & Associates, which provides extended warranties and service agreements specifically designed for PCs and laptops. You can contact them on 023 8044 2227 or go to www.burnett.co.uk.
POPULAR OPTIONS
Loot: Loot has hundreds of PCs and peripherals available for sale online and in print. The online search engine is extremely useful, and you can fine-tune your search without having to read through pages of irrelevant products. The main disadvantage of buying privately is that you get no warranty or guarantee, but sometimes the product may still be under warranty.
There are some unscrupulous sharks out there, so be careful when making arrangements for buying. Be sure to meet at the seller's house or workplace. If the product is sound, they will have no qualms about giving you their address.
When phoning about a PC, never mention the model name unless asked. If the seller asks which PC you mean, you know they are more likely to be a dealer and not a private seller. Dealers will try and use listings such as Loot to avoid paying tax and being officially registered.
QXL: QXL is a pan-European auction site where you can pick up some great bargains. The trick with auction sites is to set your limit and then be sure never to break it. If you set the limit beforehand, there is less temptation to get involved in a bidding war. You can simply get the computer to bid for you until you reach your limit.
Be sure to check the seller's rating before you start to bid on an item, as this is a good indication of the sort of service you can expect from him or her. QXL operates a buyer protection clause in its auctions.
This insurance is free to QXL members if they pay for an item and don't receive it, or pay for an item and receive one materially different to the one advertised. If the seller has a member rating of three and above, you get up to £150, and if they have a rating of 50 or above you are covered for up to £750.
You need to have a good membership rating with no minus points or criticisms from other members to qualify.
The deals here are good, but it is a very popular site, so bargains are pounced on and often rise dramatically in price before the final virtual hammer.
eBay: eBay operates in a very similar way to QXL. Unfortunately, many of the products available for auction are based in the US, so shipping charges are a factor to consider. It is worth using the PayPal payment system if you can, as this protects your credit card number and sends direct payment to the seller. It is also worth noting that eBay, as with the other sites here, is the ideal place to sell any peripheral or PC.
Conclusion
We have listed the best-known companies that sell second-hand computers, but there are plenty more. Remember to ask a business how long it has been registered and whether it takes credit cards. Credit card companies will rarely endorse businesses with bad service records.
You can certainly save money by shopping second-hand, especially if you buy an older system that will perform a job as well as a new one. What PC? wishes you happy bargain hunting.
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