Refurbished Laptop computer: Where to buy? & Do I want to buy in the first place? (1 Viewer)

[Michael D. Bunting]

About 6 months ago - I sold our Compaq laptop computer to another member on the forum here. We really didn't use it all that much - but now I'm wishing we had it back.
I just picked up a Sony Clie (PDA type thingy) and it is really cool! However - for the $600~ I paid for it...I almost feel like I could probably just spend a bit more and get a decent laptop.
The Sony is awesome...but I just don't know how "useful" it will be to me down the road. I do travel alot (military) and the WOW factor with the Sony Clie is pretty high...with that being said though, I'm thinking of returning it and putting a little more money into a laptop...because I think I will use it alot more over the next couple years.
Any recommendations on where to buy a refurbished laptop? Can these be trusted to perform well?
Or should I just learn to like the Clie for what it is?
I'm not one who usually buys refurbished or used...it's always new for me - so I am somewhat scared of buying anything but brand new in the box items.
Thanks for any help!~

 

[Michael D. Bunting]

Well...I made up my own mind a few minutes ago.
I'm taking back the Clie~ - I really like it and would highly recommend it to anyone - I guess I'm just not a PDA kinda guy though.
I just ordered a laptop from Sony.com
I know there are alot of Sony haters out there...but I just Sony Products...and we already have a Sony Digital Camera...and Sony VAIO Desktop computer that has run flawlessly for the past 8 months....and we also just purchased a Sony Digital TRV-330 Camcorder from another member of this forum (it should be here later this week). I also own a lovely Sony 57HW40 Widescreen TV that is my "baby". Everything uses Memory Stick - which I really dig!~
Sony NV170
Pentium 4 1.6 GHz-M
15.0" SXGA (1400x1050)
256 MB RAM
30 GB HD
CD-RW/DVD combo
Win XP Home Edition
Hope I did good!

 

[Masood Ali]

Laptops are highly integrated and very hard to repair for the end-user (unlike, for example, a common desktop PC). Unless the savings are significant, along with the warranty, I would pass on a refurb.

 

[Michael D. Bunting]

Thanks Masood
The Sony laptop I ordered is brand new - It is to be released later this week actually.
I bit the bullet and spent more than I originally planned on spending...but - oh well