Thoughts on a Renewed 50g?

[jlind]

I've bought a number of "refurbs" directly from HP for laptops and computer monitors over the years. All arrived in plain brown corrugated cardboard packaging (versus retail - to prevent fraudulent resale), with all accessories and documents, looking brand new. Never had a failure problem.

The BIG question: Who did the refurbishing? If it was "factory" by a reputable manufacturer that originally made it, I've got a lot more faith that it went through substantial test and verification before being unleashed back out the door. The manufacturer doesn't want it coming back. If it's Joe Schmedlapp and his brother-in-law operating out of a backyard shed between the lawn mower, gas grill and snow blower stored out there, it may be very good work, and then it may not be. For them, you only have a verified reputation from others who have received their work. A certain very large cell phone company in the US gives you refurbs if the one you bought new fails under their warranty or insurance. Their track record with the quality of the "refurbishing" has been notoriously spotty (replacement coverage is contracted out to a third party). It all leads back to who did the work, with how skilled and reliable they are.

John