[TriLUG] Refurb Lenovo Laptops (GradeA)

Fri Aug 9 20:02:49 EDT 2019

Thanks Mike!

Richard

On Fri, Aug 9, 2019 at 4:48 PM Mike Viscount via TriLUG <trilug at trilug.org>
wrote:

> 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
> >
> > --
> > This message was sent to: MikeV <mviscount at gmail.com>
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> that
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> --
> This message was sent to: richard.anderson504 at gmail.com <
> richard.anderson504 at gmail.com>
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-- 
Richard L. Anderson Jr.