[TriLUG] Refurb Lenovo Laptops (GradeA)

[Mike Viscount via TriLUG]

I actually purchased a refurb directly from Lenovo.  It was a ThinkPad E570
"Scratch and Dent" that I couldn't find a single mark on it.  Regular price
was something in the $800+ range that I paid $550 for it - Core i5, 8 GB
memory, ... etc.  I didn't like the way that the network cable was on the
right hand side and somewhat in the way of the mouse so I returned it (30
day satisfaction guarantee, free return shipping also) and then a couple
weeks later I picked up a ThinkPad E580 Refurbished for $590, the stupid
network port placement was fixed/moved, latest and greatest Core i5, 8 GB
memory (more memory is cheap), 256 GB SSD, ... etc.  Both also came with
Win 10 and 1 year warranty.

Their definitions are:

What does "New" mean?
  Order canceled and never shipped.
  Factory direct excess.

What does "Redistributed" mean?
  Product was shipped and returned unopened.
  Factory seal was not broken by customer.
  Product was never used by customer.

What does "Refurbished" mean?
  Product was returned with the factory seal broken.
  Product may or may not have been turned on.
  Product may or may not have been used.

What does "Scratch and dent" mean?
  Product was returned with the factory seal broken.
  Product may or may not have been turned on.
  Product may or may not have been used.
  Product has been refurbished.
  Product has cosmetic blemishes.

They have all of their systems available - not just ThinkPads and since you
can return it for any reason for free (including free return shipping)
within 30 days it's a no risk purchase in that regard and warranty as the
same as if it were new.  You can also buy additional warranty years if
you're so inclined.
If you go this route you need to check often as inventory is constantly
changing and some things may be there one minute and gone the next.
Also pay attention to the processors ... some may be latest and greatest
and others may be a gen or 2 back.
Finally - pay close attention to the displays ... there's a cheap one and a
good one ...I got the good one but depending on your preferences you can
save or spend more there.

One other thing ... given it's go back to school time there will be some
killer deals out there right now on new stuff and most likely there will be
good inventory refresh as they will inevitably get some back from going to
school purchases where dad thought he was being a good guy getting a new
Lenovo but all the other kids are heading in with Macs :-)

Hope this helps and good luck in your hunt!

Mike

On Fri, Aug 9, 2019 at 3:44 PM Pete Soper via TriLUG <trilug at trilug.org>
wrote:

> On 8/9/19 3:00 PM, Richard Anderson via TriLUG wrote:
>
> > Has anyone purchased a grade A refurbished Lenovo laptop from a local
> > vendor? If so, where? I am interested in purchasing one that has an i5
> > processor, backlight keyboard, in a 14 inch form factor.
> >
> >
> > Richard
>
> I've bought a number of laptops from Triangle Ecycling, (maybe a half
> dozen Lenovo and one HP) for myself and others over the past few years
> and have been 100% satisfied. And I'm sitting in front of two 20 inch
> Dell and one 24 inch HP monitor from there that I use with my Linux
> desktop. The three displays put together were just ridiculously
> inexpensive  and have not skipped a beat since I put this system
> together a year ago. I got my choice of a very clean (bloat free)
> install of Windows 7 or 10 for each laptop and could of course layer
> Linux on top by modifying the partitions, etc. They sell desktop
> computers too, plus network switches and other accessories. (Need a X
> volt Y amp laptop adaptor? The last time I was there I saw a box of them
> multiple feet deep!)
>
> And this is a 501C3 nonprofit. From their web site:
>
>    "The primary mission of Triangle Ecycling is supporting STEM
> education with hands-on tech training for high school students. We are a
> triple bottom line business engaged in collecting, refurbishing and
> recycling end-of-life computers and other electronics. We repurpose
> computers for *good*."
>
> I can vouch for the effectiveness of their program for enabling HS
> students to get a jet-propelled launch into life working and furthering
> their education. I employed one of their "graduates" between his first
> two semesters at university and he was very hard working and
> conscientious, skilled with Linux and a shaman with Windows.
>
> https://triangleecycling.com/
>
> Finally, many of their laptops appear to be from local businesses where
> employees are being upgraded  sooner than they need to relative to the
> actual wear and tear, so many of the laptops are in excellent condition
> before the systematic secure hard drive erasure/refurb/testing process
> starts. The guaranteed secure erasure is a free service for equipment
> folks turn in for recycling by them.
>
> -Pete
>
> --
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