7 websites that will save you money on pre-owned computer hardware

If you’re planning to build a computer from scratch, upgrade a hard drive, or buy a laptop, you can save up to half the cost by purchasing pre-owned or refurbished hardware.

Recommended by our technology experts, the seven websites below can be divided into two categories: online stores that will sell you refurbished hardware with a warranty, and forums that let you to buy, sell, or trade pre-owned hardware with other shoppers.

Online stores selling refurbished hardware:

Micro Center

Micro Center sells refurbished computer hardware online and in stores. When you visit the site, it tells you where the nearest store is, giving you the option to shop online, in person, or to pick up an online order at the store. Micro Center’s used items can be found under the “Refurbished Deals,” the first link in the “Products” menu.

A helpful and useful feature found on the site is the “Compare 2” function, where you can compare up to four items in an easy-to-scan chart containing information such as performance specifications and manufacturer warranty.

Newegg

While Newegg has an extensive collection of refurbished hardware, it may be a little difficult to find. To do so, click on “Computer Hardware” in the general menu and then select the refurbished category in the bottom right corner.

Once you discover the pre-owned parts you seek, you’ll be able to compare up to five items using a feature comparison chart similar, though less user-friendly, to that provided by Micro Center. While the site does allow you to compare one more item than Micro Center, the comparison chart is not available for all products and is not as extensive in information. However, Newegg offers the retail price of the same part in new condition, while Micro Center does not.

Tiger Direct

Along with Micro Center and Newegg, Tiger Direct offers a variety of refurbished items. It has “Overstock Deals,” giving you the opportunity to save as much on a new item as you would on a pre-owned one, and the site offers a 90-day warranty on all refurbished items.

Although Tiger Direct does not have a comparison feature, it does have a helpful list of “Top Sellers In This Category,” where you can see what other shoppers like.

Other World Computing

This is for you, Mac users: Other World Computing caters specifically to Apple products, such as Mac computers, iPads, and assorted parts and accessories. The website offers a 24/7 live chat feature, and compares its prices with retail prices, permitting you to see how much you are saving.

Forums connecting buyers/sellers/traders of pre-owned hardware:

Hard Forum

Hard Forum enables you to directly trade, sell, or buy with other shoppers. It is best for someone who has extensive knowledge of what they’re looking for, as you give up the protection of buying from a store in order to get the best price.

Overclock

Overclock appears to be a more organized version of Hard Forum as there is a list of “Marketplace Rules” posted for users to see and staff members monitor the forums. The website offers a place where you can post an ad for an item you’re looking for, that way you may interact with other people who could potentially sell it to you.

/r/hardwareswap

Reddit’s forum, /r/hardwareswap, is for swapping or trading products, but does not offer forums to ask questions in. What the site does offer is a place to inquire about specific components, coordinate a trade, or bid for a lower asking price, a helpful feature that is not allowed in the online stores.

Source: MakeUseOf