Large or small? Old or new? Borrowed and blue?

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HARDWARE By Ben Myers Decade-long trends in computer hardware make for more expansive and perplexing choices. So you need to buy another computer, or
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TechTango, fisher75, Norio, Still Anonymous, windbg, SueW, DLivesInTexas, lmacri, geekdom, ibe98765

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Mix and Match.

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We are having multiple problems with refurbished HP laptops purchased from what we thought was a reliable “big box” electronics store.

Windows 11 compatibility, warrantee not being what was advertised on their site, etc.

The most recent problem is a HP – ProBook 14” with an Intel Core i5 – 8GB Memory – 480GB Solid State Drive that’s delivery is being delayed for at least two weeks.

Any recommendation of alternative sources of quality HP refurbished equipment?

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Have you considered going directly to the manufacturer’s very own online web site?
See HP Business Outlet, where it says: “Buy with confidence. Our certified refurbished products are backed by HP’s one-year limited warranty, 90-days of complimentary technical support, and a 10-day return policy”

HP Compaq 6000 Pro SFF PC / Windows 10 Pro / 22H2
Intel®Core™2 “Wolfdale” E8400 3.0 GHz / 8.00 GB
HP ProDesk 400 G5 SFF PC / Windows 11 Pro / 23H2
Intel®Core™ “Coffee Lake” i3-8100 3.6 GHz / 16.00 GB

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To deal with the current problem, is it time to escalate to upper management of the once reliable “big box” electronics store?  Windows 11 compatibility is or is not.  No hedging, whether we like Microsoft’s rules or not.  If your company was sold one or more computers claimed to be Windows 11 compatible and they are not, it seems you have good reason to return the computers for a full refund, whether warranty has expired or not.

Likewise, if the warranty as stated is not being honored, that is an unethical business practice.

For either one, your state attorney general’s office ought to be able to help.  And there is always a possible legal action, depending on the value of the equipment involved.

As for late delivery, not much you can do except cancel the order.

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geekdom

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In all fairness, the refurbished computers were sold as Windows 10 machines.  But I was surprised when I found out that they may not be ready for Windows 11.  But then again, I do not plan on moving to Windows 11 until after the end of life of Windows 10.

With respect to the warranties, the big box store’s web page itself was silent re a warrantee.  However, when I opened the specifications link on the box store’s web page it opened a HP specifications page for the Pro Book that included the language,

“Warranty

• Manufacturer’s Warranty – Parts 1 year
• Manufacturer’s Warranty – Labor 1 year

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-probook-14-refurbished-laptop-intel-core-i5-8gb-memory-480gb-solid-state-drive-black/6297031.p?skuId=6297031&ref=E10C18R004_OrderConfirmation&loc=BODY&CampaignID=NES_OrderConfirmation&eut=3004781887

As per the email notifying us that a unit’s delivery was being delayed for at least two weeks – it was inconsistent with the actual delivery that was on time.

Overall, we are happy with the two refurbished HP Probooks that we purchased from the big box store. We always planned on using them for light duty work for a limited time.

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Thank you for the article and extremely useful review of options in today’s marketplace.

I’d like to raise another question that figures into the current purchasing situation. Lenovo makes good computers, and because of its long-ago IBM PC base, has done so for quite some time. Over the decades of small business operations, I have opted for Lenovo desktops and laptops and almost never been disappointed by any of the factors that matter to us — currency of the CPU, RAM, storage and storage type, display quality, ports, and for us, quality of the keyboard.

But Lenovo is a mainland Chinese company. And look now at the many many companies that are abandoning mainland China manufacturing because of the now-growing tensions caused by Taiwan, China’s support of Russia against Ukraine, sanctions of one kind or another, the TikTok dispute, etc. Under these circumstances, I think it makes sense to consider alternative resources.

Yes I know that components in almost all PCs these days come from China. The shift in manufacturing, however, will over time make it possible to avoid many or even most of those components. I believe this is a long-term trend that isn’t going to change. The political and ethical differences between China and the West aren’t going away.

Given a choice, I want to support companies based in and owned by democratic countries. I assume many other readers feel the same way.

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You may want to read here:
https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/who-controls-our-tech/

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
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online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender

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I almost always buy computers refurbished, and when that is done I expect that hardly any profit flows back to the original manufacturer (especially at the prices I pay).  So I would not feel like I have benefited a Chinese company.  Is there a security risk, or unwanted internet connections made?  I try to avoid as much “driver updater” software as I can from manufacturers, and have seen lots of spyware from “American” companies.  I think the other companies still use majority Chinese parts currently – but you make a good point, maybe that will change.  For personal security I think a firewall blocking unwanted connections would help the most, along with going with as close to a bare bones Microsoft install as possible.  Minimal manufacturer software.

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The best way to have minimal manufacturer software is to wipe the Windows drive and install from the current ISO downloaded direct from Microsoft.  That’s what I do when setting up a computer, even one delivered with manufacturer’s version of software already pre-installed.  The downside is that one often needs to complete the installation of hardware drivers, a continued imperfection in Windows update.

Business class computers with Windows Pro are a lesser problem, because the manufacturers generally do not load them up with shopping apps, games and other distractions.  On the other hand, consumer class computers with Windows Home found mostly in big box stores are littered with all manner of apps not useful to many.

And, of course, no matter which version of Windows one uses, it is cluttered with all the Microsoft gaming apps, Bing shopping nonsense and other software to generate revenue for Microsoft.

 

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Well, no matter where a computer company is headquartered, the finger of manufacturing has almost inevitably pointed at Foxconn and other factories in China.  So directly or indirectly, we are paying the companies that manufacture in China.  That may well change, as companies hedge their bets.

In fact, many Lenovo boxes I’ve seen have stickers referencing Bratislava, Slovakia.  Does this mean they are manufacturing there?  Or at least assembling?  Probably, because the EU offers advantages to companies that manufacture within its confines.  And the process or assembling a computer from parts sourced elsewhere counts as manufacturing.

Manufacturing of electronics has become a very complex process.

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My Lenovo M700 tiny shows as manufactured in Mexico.

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One would conclude that final assembly for computers delivered in North America takes place in Mexico, whereas final assembly for EU countries takes place in Slovakia?  That does not quite explain the presence of Lenovos made in Slovakia on this continent.  My tiny ThinkCentres all show Mexico, too.

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https://static.lenovo.com/ww/docs/sustainability/list-of-lenovo-mfg-sites-and-suppliers-27oct.pdf

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Ben Myers

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Thank you.  The document says all, as of date of publication.  Give Lenovo credit for telling us about its supply chain.

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Alex5723

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For anyone worried about this stuff be aware that Lenovo owns the phone section of Motorola.

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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SueW

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