Top Tips On Computer RefurbishmentOld, obsolete, non-functioning computer units and peripherals present a major electronic waste disposal problem as they increase in number due to the fast changing trends and innovations in today's technology. These obsolete computer units contribute greatly to the increasing amount of electronic waste that pose a major threat to the already fragile environment. With continued technological innovations comes the opportunity to recycle, refurbish, and reuse computer units and their peripherals. Of these three, computer refurbishment is the oldest, being practiced by personal computer owners since the early 1980s when mass production of computers began. But what is refurbishment? How does one refurbish a personal computer? To refurbish something involves the process of doing maintenance work or performing minor repairs of an item for both aesthetic and mechanical purposes. Refurbishment often involves enhancing existing features, or removing old ones, and may also involve the addition of new items for a better look and improved function. Computer refurbishment involves upgrading computer units and peripherals to make them available for reuse whether by their original owners or to be passed on or sold to other potential owners. Refurbishing computers may include upgrading with a higher speed processor, or replacing a hard drive with lesser space. It also includes cleaning the computer unit and replacing broken parts. Upgrading, a practice done by almost any personal computer owner, is the most common form of refurbishing. A three- to five-year old personal computer is a good candidate for refurbishment. If the owner feels that the machine begins to run slower than the usual, he or she might consider upgrading to a new processor or installing higher capacity memory cards. He or she might also consider changing the computer hard drive with a bigger capacity to accommodate more software and large files such as music and movies. Other computer components that could be upgraded include video and sound cards to allow better display and improved sound, monitors, mice, and keyboards. As part of refurbishing personal computers, an owner may also consider adding game consoles, drives like CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs, surround speakers, or even extra monitors for better graphic display. Installing the latest available software will also be considered a major refurbishment. Changing these peripherals is not a difficult task, after all. Personal computers are now manufactured in such a way that they can be easily de-manufactured, meaning they can easily be disassembled so broken and non-functioning parts can be replaced. The availability of these items is not a problem also as more and more stores sell these products. These stores are even willing to take in the old ones and charge less for the new parts. A personal computer owner may also include aesthetic changes in his or her refurbishing project. Want flashing lights on the casing? It is now possible. Computer casings can now be changed in an instant, so that if owners wish to have flashy ones, they can easily modify and vary their computer's casing. Want to buy refurbished computers and laptops? Refurbished computers often sell at discounted prices and most carry 30 to 90 days store warranty from the manufacturers. Though refurbished computer units and laptops usually do not pass through quality control assessments, manufacturers and sellers provide extended warranties. The refurbished computer unit or laptop is almost the same as a brand-new unit, just that it has been pre-owned. So the next time you think of that old computer unit as junk, try to refurbish it and get a new computer in a flash without having to spend much. |