In larger corporations, PCs (otherwise known as "end user desktops") all have this stickers and/or metal badges with an numerical or alphanumerical sequence on it. This is called the asset tag.
When a corporation decides to get rid of computers as per the end-of-life cycle (anywhere between 3 to 5 years usually when the warranties finally run out), what’s supposed to happen to those tagged computers boxes is one of the following:
They are either sent "whole" or with wiped drives or gutted/stripped to…
- The computer recycling center.
- Destruction (literally).
But even in the largest companies this doesn’t always happen. Sometimes a computer box or two will "fall thru the cracks" so to speak. You may know a friend that works in a large company that can get his hands on a computer for you.
Most people would say "Cool! Free computer! Yes, I’ll take it!"
Trust me, you don’t want it for several good reasons:
First, the license of Windows you get on it will be 100% illegal to use and operate because you don’t own the license.
Second, the box is almost guaranteed to be slow and obsolete.
Third, it’s most likely true that any upgrades you add to it (hard drive, more RAM, etc.) won’t do a darn thing to improve the performance at all.
Fourth, it’s most likely true that box has been banged around quite a bit. It’s probably been moved from cubicle to cubicle, office to office, building to building.
Fifth, it’s probably riddled with dust on the inside. In many office environments the box is kept on the floor - right next to a space heater that throws a bunch of dirt, debris and crap right into the power supply and inside the case.
Sixth - and the most important reason - the box you get was most likely on the chopping block to get sent to recycling or destruction. That means the company who had it already deemed it useless to them.
Is this the kind of computer you want?
Absolutely not. You’re just asking for problems if you take one.
Granted, there are some instances where getting a box like this turns out to be a good deal (it was free after all) and may provide a few years of use. But the end result is that you still get an old crappy PC box - and it will always be an old crappy PC box.
Stay away from these.
I think the problems listed in the article are more related to second-hand PCs in general, rather than used corporate PCs in particular. Getting second-hand stuff in general has disadvantages, true. But let’s face it: Do you really want to do what the IT industry WANTS you to do, buy a new machine every two years? Do you really want to spend $600 for a file server that you just use to dump some movies and music in?
You can get your second-hand office PC, clean it properly, maybe replace the HD. Windows license? Who cares…? There is Linux (which by the way is very good with old boxes). Otherwise you can always by a new copy of Win XP for a couple of hundred bucks (…or less).
I guess it depends on the needs of the individual. If you want to play the latest games or edit movies, perhaps a brand new computer is the correct choice. Otherwise, any second-hand computer can usually do the trick.
As someone who refurbishes older PCs, I agree with the above comment.
This is something I can personally attest to as many of the users I support ask if they can buy the old system from the company when it is due to be replaced. However, my explanation is not as polished as Rich’s. I tell them it will cost them more money in the long run versus buying a new computer that will come with a warranty. Furthermore, company IT staff no longer support retired assets and it will add to the cost of ownership to have it serviced. In the end, another man’s trash is another man’s treasure does not float in this case (no pun intended).
I believe this article was aimed to those who are not as tech savvy. Since I am, I would take the system for parts if it were offered, but I do not recommend it for the average user.
If it runs Folding at Home then why not?
For the last 6 to 8 years I’ve supplied probably 90% used stuff to end users. Mostly off lease Dell. Even paid money for them.
Most people who need computers don’t need the latest and greatest OS, hardware, or applications.
With a free operating system, free browser, free email , and a free wordprocessor people can afford to get a new monitor or printer.
Rich’s comments are fair for everyday run of the mill users, but for those who are more computer savvy…wiping the hard drive and installing a Linux distro to use for a server or storage. We’re at least not putting them into a landfill.
For those of us who are in the NPO world ( Non Prophet organization) would welcome such used technology donations.
First Windows license is usually inexpensive for NPO Not an issue
Second: most used PC are PIII 1ghz or better, runs XP/Linux fine
Third: any performance upgrade depends on the model PC itself, just upgrading/adding additional memory will be enough of a performance boost,in most cases, for a general office desktop use.
Forth: Who cares how many time the PC has been moved, I don’t get it.
Fifth: if it is working with all that dust and dirt, then cleaning it only prolonged it life, chances are you will a few PC in the lot as spare parts, Practice Safe ESD.
Sixth: Just Because a Company is getting rid of old technology, does not mean it is no longer of value to others.
evaluate the equipment and decide for your self if it is something your NPO or club, school can use.
Alain J Laverdure
Consultant, Network Engineer
This is ridiculous. I work in technology but I prefer not to blow my salary on hardware that will obselete rapidly. Every computer I’ve ever owned has been a second-hand corporate PC. Since I’ve had about 6 systems of this type over the past 20 years, I can tell you several ways in which you are wrong.
1. You fail to realize that corporate grade hardware is usually better quality than consumer grade - give me any 2 year old Dell desktop over a brand new HP or Acer. Not to mention how much “crapware” is “pre-expired” on consumer PCs - it’s a full day of uninstalling, cleaning the registry, and configuring to fix that.
2. Right now the most efficient PCs (measured by “performance per watt”) are either around 4 years old or brand new. Intel and AMD fought a brutal battle to make the fastest processor, which caused the chips to run super hot and waste tons of energy, with only nominal end-user performance gains (due to bottlenecks elsewhere in systems). I am perfectly happy right now running a few 1.5 Ghz machines at around 100 Watts average load. That comes out to about 2 cents per hour of utility cost by my calculations. Go ahead and run some high-end gaming box with a Pentium D and some huge video card 24/7/365 and get back to me how high your utility bill is…
3. I’ve NEVER had a licensing issue with any Windows version that was corporate licensed, versus I have spent hundred of hours reinstalling Windows for friends with consumer systems. Microsoft knows better than to harrass their corporate customers with little validation popups and crippling tricks.
4. Dust, I can’t even comment. OK I will - clean it!
5. While we’re at it, my friend from Africa has been overjoyed to send boxes of old crappy laptops (ie. 200Mhz Winbooks) home. Do you know how happy it makes somebody in rural Zimbabwe to be able to burn CDs or surf the web on dialup?
Unlike most here, I agree with the author.
Wife works at a school and they replace the boxes every two years and offer them to employees for 50 bucks….with tube monitor, keyboard, mouse. Bought one that lasted 6 to 9 months before the motherboard fried…..the capacitors are actually ooozing brown goo. At its best, it booted slow and had stability issues. I’m guessing that it was never powered off for the whole two years the school had it. And its not a Dell or HP…..no-name with mid-grade mobo.
Spend a few bucks and build your own….so you can quit hauling boat anchors to the curb. Let that other guy send em directly to Zimbabwe.