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Want to buy a laptop and searching for a great price?  Consider a refurbished laptop.  You can find an excellent system, completely rebuilt and nearly new, and save 30-50% on the price of a new laptop. 

More laptops are coming on the market as corporate IT departments upgrade their leased equipment each year.  The laptops that go off lease are often sold to refurbishing shops, where the computer goes through a thorough check, and repairs are made if needed, along with upgrades to parts like memory, CD-ROM drives and operating systems.  The refurbishing company then resells the refurbished laptop either direct or through online auctions like eBay.  You can find a great deal if you know what to look for.

The key questions to ask when looking at a refurbished laptop are how old the laptop is, which will give you a clue as to how old the hard drive is and the memory. The key wear points on used laptop are often the hard drive, which is susceptible to drops or bumps, as well as the memory.  Ask if either the hard drive or the memory has been replaced. 

Another item to ask about is about the screen. The screen on laptops can be very sensitive to heat, moisture and physical wear.  Find out if the screen has been replaced or repaired.  If it’s been repaired, you may want to consider a warranty to cover future possible breakdowns.

Ask what kind of operating system is included.  Operating systems are easy to install over the prior operating system, so if it’s an older operating system version, be sure to ask if you are getting the serial numbers and CDs to allow you to purchase an upgrade if you choose.

Often a refurbished laptop has a manufacturer’s warranty available for purchase along with your system.  If you want a warranty, be sure to ask what is available, and how long you have to buy the warranty after purchase of the system.

Finally, make sure you feel comfortable with the dealer selling you the PC.  Does the vendor answer your questions fully and promptly?  Do they have a return period? Can you return for any reason without a restocking fee (which can run to 15% of the price)?  Do they have a support department you can contact  in case something goes wrong with your system? Where are they located (preferably the US)?  And do they have happy client testimonials?

With so many laptop systems on the market, you have options besides buying a new system.  Keeping these points in mind while you shop can help you find a great deal on a refurbished laptop.

 

PC and Laptop Memory Explained

Memory is one of the most important requirements of a computer system, and everyone knows that the more we have, the faster your system will run. Yet details about memory are not well understood: wha the different types of memory are, which memory is best for your system and what the difference is between memory for your desktop and memor for your notebook.

Here is a quick guide to computer memory that can help you determine what you need to upgrade.

Memory Modules Generally

Memory otherwise known as RAM (Random Access Memory) is used in computer systems to store and run instructions during processing. Memory is located on thin strips called modules, which are installed into slots on the motherboard. Most memory modules are constructed the same way. Black memory chips, usually 8 of them, are installed, or printed, onto a green plastic circuit board.

Along the lower edge of the memory module are the pins, which are small gold strips. The pins make contact between the memory module and the slot on the motherboard of the desktop or notebook computer.

The module will have one or more notches along the bottom; these notches match those in the slot on the motherboard to ensure that you are inserting the correct module.

When installing a memory module into a computer, the memory module must be completely “seated” or fitted into the slot to ensure a complete connection with the motherboard.

DDR Desktop Memory

Dual Data Rate RAM (called DDR) comes in a dual inline memory module (called a DIMM). The DIMM has several memory components (the black parts) installed on a printed circuit board (the green plastic board). There are pins on the bottom of the DIMM card, made of gold, which provide the connection between the DIMM and the socket where it is installed onto the motherboard when inserted into the slot.

While the number of the black components on a DIMM can vary, there are always 92 gold pins on each of the front and back of the DIMM for a total of 184-pins. A 184-pin DIMM is usually 5.25 inches long, and can vary in height. These 184-pin DIMMs can be the same basic size as a 164-pin DIMM, but the 184-pin DIMM will only have one notch along the bottom of the card, which will match the slot in your PC’s motherboard.

DDR memory is intended for desktop PCs, and comes on standard 184-pin DIMM cards. These are available in different speeds: PC2100 DDR, PC2700 DDR and PC3200DDR. Your PC motherboard must have the correct slots for these DIMMs and have a DDR-enabled chipset (check your owner’s manual or ask your manufacturer or memory vendor if you are unsure).

DDR2 Desktop Memory

DDR2 memory is a newer generation of memory, with a different structured, that transmits data much faster. It comes on 240-pin DIMMS, and to use it, your PC must have 240-pins slots on the motherboard and have a DDR2 enabled chipset. A DDR2 won’t fit in the standard DDR or SDRAM DIMM slots. (On a DDR2 DIMM, the notch will be closer to the center of the green card.) Again if you are unsure, check your manual or contact your manufacturer to find out whether your PC required DDR2 memory.

DDR and DDR2 Memory for Notebooks

Notebook memory comes on SODIMMs, which stands for “small outline dual inline memory module”. These are similar to DIMMs but smaller and thinner. There are 200 pins on a SODIMM, and they fit into a DDR or DDR2 slot inside your notebook.

Just as with a PC, your system must have a DDR or DDR2 enabled chipset to use these memory modules. The notch on a 200 pin SODIMM will be found toward the left hand side of the module. SODIMMs are a little over 2.5 inches long, and about 1.25 inches high. Be sure to check with your manufacturer to find out which memory module works with your laptop.

SDRAM Memory for Desktops

168-pin DIMMs are another common type of memory module. They are usually found in Pentium ® or Athlon ® systems. Memory speeds available for SDRAM are 66MHz SDRAM, PC100 SDRAM, and PC133 SDRAM. When you upgrade, make sure you match the type of memory that is already in your system. SDRAM modules have two notches along the bottom of the memory card.

SDRAM Memory for Notebooks

144-pin SODIMMs are used in notebook computers, and come in speeds of are 66MHz SDRAM, PC100 SDRAM, and PC133 SDRAM. As with a desktop PC, be sure to match the type of memory that is already in your system when y upgrade your notebook memory.

As with the DDR2 SODIMMs, the SDRAM SODIMMs are slightly more than 2.5 inches long. They have one notch along the bottom of the memory module.

SIMM Memory for Desktops

A SIMM is a single inline memory module. A difference between a SIM and a DIMM is that the pins on either side of a SIMM are connected. 72-pin SIMMs are mostly found in older computers, such as 486 computers and older Pentiums®. 72-pin SIMMS come in two types, FPM and EDO. You should match the existing type of memory in your system when upgrading; check with your manufacturer or memory vendor if you are unsure. These modules are a little larger, at 4.25 inches long and 1 inch high. They have two notches: one in the center and one to the left of the module.

Conclusion

This quick guide to memory will help you identify the most common types of memory in computer systems and can help you figure out what your system can accept when you upgrade. If you have any questions about the memory type in your system, contact your manufacturer, or your memory reseller, to get more information about compatibility of upgrades.

For more information visit these sites:

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/computer-memory1.htm

http://arstechnica.com/paedia/r/ram_guide/ram_guide.part1-1.html