Refurbished IT Hardware: Enhancing IT Infrastructure Affordably

Businesses cannot compete without a solid technology foundation. But the price of new servers, laptops and networking equipment is prohibitive. Really prohibitive.

The good news is…

Refurbished IT hardware is a game changer for businesses of all sizes. It delivers the same quality performance at a fraction of the price of buying new equipment. Quality has also never been better.

• What Is Refurbished IT Hardware?
• Why Are Businesses Switching To Refurbished Hardware?
• How Much Can Refurbished Save Me?
• The 3 Key Steps To Buying Refurbished
• The Biggest Concerns With Refurbished (And Why They’re Wrong)

Introduction

Refurbished IT hardware is exactly what it sounds like. Pre-owned equipment that has been tested, restored and brought back to life.

This can include servers, workstations, laptops and networking devices. Each item is refurbished then put through strict quality assurance checks. This means businesses get the same performance they would from new equipment without the high price tag.

The refurbished IT hardware sales market is growing right now. Trusted suppliers like ETB specialise in quality refurbished servers, storage systems and enterprise hardware that meet the same standards as new equipment.

Simple right?

Businesses are waking up to the power of refurbished technology. It gives them the tools they need to be competitive at a price they can afford. It’s a no-brainer.

What Is Refurbished IT Hardware?

Refurbished IT hardware is technology that has been professionally restored to working condition after being used by another business.

This covers anything from servers and workstations to laptops and networking devices. Each item is stripped down, tested and quality assured by the refurbisher. They restore it back to peak condition before resale. The end result is business-grade equipment at low prices.

Simple really.

Why Are Businesses Switching To Refurbished Hardware?

Businesses are quickly switching over to refurbished technology. There are three simple reasons for this:

1. Big Cost Savings

The most obvious reason is price.

Refurbished equipment usually costs 30-70% less than new equivalents. Refurbished sales allow businesses to get more bang for their buck.

A business can either buy a single new server. Or they can buy two or three refurbished servers of similar quality for the same cost. The choice becomes obvious for most businesses when budgets are tight.

2. Environmental Factors

Something not many people think about…

The world produced 62 million tonnes of e-waste in 2022 alone. To put that into perspective, that’s enough to fill over 1.5 million trucks. You could then line up the trucks bumper-to-bumper around the equator and still have a line of trucks stretching all the way back to earth.

E-waste is actually increasing faster than recycling rates. It’s growing at 5 times the rate.

Buying refurbished hardware keeps good equipment out of landfill. Extends the useful lifespan of valuable technology. And lessens the demand for new manufacturing which is energy and resource-intensive.

Businesses that care about their carbon footprint are taking note.

3. The Same Performance, But Lower Prices

IT equipment is built to last.

A three-year-old enterprise server is still going to be a high-performing machine. The same is true for workstations, networking switches, storage arrays. Professional refurbishment restores these to peak condition.

The components and software inside are often still very modern. A refurbished server can still run the same software. It can still handle the same workloads. The only difference is that someone else has already absorbed the initial depreciation.

How Much Can Refurbished Save Me?

Refurbished equipment can save businesses huge amounts of money. Here are some real-life examples:

A business could spend $20,000 on a brand new server. Or they could spend the same amount of money and buy two refurbished servers. They get double the capacity for the same cost.

Here’s another example:

Buy a single new $2000 workstation. Or you could buy three refurbished workstations of the same quality for the same amount of money. Suddenly 3 developers are equipped for the same cost of 1.

Businesses that adopt refurbished hardware for their equipment needs can often double or triple the computing power for the same cost as new equipment.

The 3 Key Steps To Buying Refurbished

Finding the right refurbished technology can be tricky. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Check The Supplier

Look for established businesses with a proven track record of selling refurbished equipment. This is key. Do they have online reviews? What do people say about their testing and refurbishing processes?

Step 2: Understand The Grades

Most refurbishers grade their equipment. Grade A is near-mint condition. Lower grades might have some cosmetic blemishes but will still be in excellent working condition.

Step 3: Look For Warranties

Professional refurbishers will usually offer warranties on their equipment. A good warranty reflects confidence in the products being sold.

Step 4: Ask Questions

Don’t be afraid to ask about their testing procedures. Do they run diagnostics? Do they replace worn components before resale? Do they have a process for guaranteeing everything works 100% before shipping?

Step 5: Consider Certified Programmes

Certified refurbished programmes from major manufacturers are a great option. This includes original manufacturer warranties and support in many cases.

The 3 Biggest Concerns With Refurbished (And Why They’re Wrong)

Some businesses are reluctant to go refurbished. They have a few common concerns. Let’s put them to rest once and for all.

“Will it last?”

Enterprise IT equipment is designed to be hardworking and long-lasting. A refurbished server that is properly restored can easily have another five years or more of useful life.

Enterprise servers and workstations are built to be run 24/7 in data centres. They’re designed to be tough. A few years of previous use are a drop in the ocean of the potential useful life.

“What about support?”

Quality refurbished suppliers offer support packages. In some cases, equipment may still be eligible for manufacturer support contracts. The support landscape is far better now than it was in the past.

In addition to this, many refurbishers stock spare parts inventories. If something needs replacing, they can take care of it.

“Is it really worth the risk?”

Is it really worth the risk?

The truth is…the risk is much smaller than most people assume. The best professional refurbishers have reputations to protect. They test everything. They offer warranties. If something does happen to go wrong, they fix it.

Compare this to the 100% certainty of overspending when buying new. The math usually adds up in favour of refurbished for businesses that are conscious of their bottom line.

Making The Switch

Ready to dip your toe into refurbished IT hardware for your business?

Start with an audit of what equipment you need. Servers? Workstations? Networking? Storage?

Find a trusted supplier that specialises in that type of equipment. Ask questions about their refurbishing and testing process. Ask for references if you need more convincing.

Many businesses test the waters by buying one or two refurbished items. Once they’re convinced of the quality they scale up to larger purchases.

Conclusion

Refurbished IT hardware has come a long way from being the budget option with quality concerns.

The market has matured. Testing and quality assurance processes have improved. Warranties and support options have expanded.

Businesses of all sizes are realising they can do more with their technology budget with refurbished equipment. They get the hardware they need without overstretching their budgets.

As a bonus, they’re helping to reduce e-waste at the same time.

That’s a win for the business. It’s also a win for the environment.

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