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Why you should buy Refurbished Servers

August 13, 2022 February 27, 2023

Buying secondhand phones is customary but not advisable. On the other hand, buying refurbished servers is being recommended. Now, many of you would ask, aren’t they the same? Refurbished is different from plain secondhand stuff. When something is secondhand, you sell it for a remarkably lower price because it is sold “as is where is.” Refurbished software took time and effort before resale. Here are reasons why you should buy refurbished servers: Click to read more…

Saves Money

Upscaling old servers to look like new ones is a way to get quality product and save money. Buying a new server is a very healthy decision. However, what if your organization does not have the budget yet? Refurbished servers are the best options for you. They work as fast new servers do, and you can buy just a fourth of the typical new servers—all servers’ functions in the same way. The difference lies in more advanced features and the new shell of newly manufactured servers. More importantly, most refurbished servers are changed on the inside to run efficiently. Your company could save money that you could use to buy the company a CRM system and the like. You could save on advertisements. Whatever the purchase is, the gist is that there is money to spend.

Good for the Environment

If the pandemic has not yet been an eye-opener to how the environment could wreak havoc on people, then humanity hasn’t learned a lesson. With brand new models coming in and out due to the diligence of software engineers, it is hard to say yes to something which has been used already. If you saw the movie Artificial Intelligence, you would be surprised at how many iron cases are used up in a year. Utmost respect to developers for creating new models, but refurbished servers are an alternative. Having a server for a company is a pre-need. Refurbished servers serve as a gateway.

Good Maintenance

New servers with brand new features perform well. Although when bad luck knocks, they become down for a while. Unfortunately, one of the disadvantages of a new model is hard to find parts. With refurbished servers, maintenance is super easy. You need to know the exact specs of your machine and many options online and offline would present themselves. Buying parts that are already in the market gives you the chance to compare prices. The best thing is you save a lot of time and effort waiting.

The Friendly Tech Guy

One of the most extraordinary things that a customer could get from a refurbished process is the support and assistance from the seller from start until issues arise. Maybe it is an isolated case, but customer service staff of refurbished servers are usually kind. Refurbishing a server takes a lot of time. The time spent on it makes the technicians and engineers grow an attachment to it. The good thing about makers of refurbished is knowledgeable about different models. They will tell you some techniques on installation, management, and aftercare process. They might even give you free manuals and tools for maintenance.

Delivery

While some new models ordered on the internet require patience since you are in the queue, Refurbished servers are readily available for people who want to choose. All you need to do is pay, and it would be delivered to you. Refurbished servers are usually on-hand and sold in promotions too.Each machine’s life span depends on how careful the owners are.

Hardware and Software Makeover

Refurbished servers are like remodeled cars and re-upholstered furniture; they are updated on the outside and the inside. While others may suffer a bit of mark from previous owners, some technicians overhaul the outer shell too. Picking of units is mainly your discretion. Some technicians might also offer a customization package. Of course, when your server is new, keeping it on stock appearance is more likely. With a refurbished server, you may place a logo and paint it in your brand’s color. Again, not everyone offers this kind of customization.

Familiar with New Features

Maintenance helps, but there are times when you are on your own. The familiar features of your servers make them easy to use and manipulate during troubleshooting. Furthermore, there are many groups of users available should you have questions and answers. With refurbished servers, product reviews have already been made. The texts are available for reference and might help in decision-making. Peers might be more familiar with a refurbished unit rather than a new model. This helps you use your unit to its maximum potential.

Refurbished Servers Warranty

Getting the value for money when buying refurbished furniture from legit distributors is already given. Costumers are buying the valuable item that is slightly older and getting more updated software and drivers; the warranty is a bonus. With many people being cynical about how great a refurbished server is, getting a warranty is an assurance. A return warranty is generally issued in the early stage of purchase, while a service warranty ensures clients their units are checked from time to time for free. Usually, the greater the risk of the unit is, the longer the warranty period.

Conclusion

Given these benefits of buying a refurbished server, of course, the consumer still has the right to buy a new server. New servers still have advantages over refurbished servers since they are just fresh off the market. Economically speaking, refurbished servers can still help many start-ups who want to improve their data centers. There is no right or wrong when buying one’s equipment, only preference. Everyone would only determine each server’s compatibility with your company in the long run. A new and refurbished server could both be assets to your organization.

Should you feel the need to purchase servers, it is crucial to go to someone you can trust. Seven IT may help you with your questions. For inquiries on the best models and how to purchase, please email us your information at info@sevenit.com, and we would be glad to assist you.

How are remanufactured ink and toner cartridges made

August 13, 2022 August 14, 2022

Electronics

Millions of people around the world now use remanufactured ink and toner cartridges in order to cut down on printing costs. Since original brand inks and toners are highly expensive, both business and home users now rely upon either remanufactured or compatible printer cartridges.

Both remanufactured and compatible cartridges can help you save up to 75% on printing costs! In the long run, these savings can add up to a huge sum.

Here in this post, we will discuss how remanufactured ink and toner cartridges are made. First, let us understand the basics. Click to read more…

What exactly is a remanufactured inkjet or toner cartridge?

A remanufactured ink or toner cartridge is an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) printer cartridge that has been cleaned, repaired, and refilled with ink or toner of similar quality.

Reputed sellers refurbish used OEM printer cartridges in controlled environments. At InkjetsClub, for instance, used printer cartridges are disassembled and cleaned by trained technicians in ISO-certified facilities.

What about damaged parts in a used printer cartridge?

Damaged printer cartridge components, if any, are replaced so that a remanufactured or refurbished ink or toner cartridge works as new.

Where are remanufactured cartridges sourced from?

Inkjet and laser toner cartridges meant to be remanufactured are sourced from printer users around the world.

Here at InkjetsClub, we also accept used OEM ink and toner cartridges for recycling. You can avail of a $10 discount on the next purchase each time you recycle a used printer cartridge with us.

Many sellers also collect used OEM printer cartridges through fundraising initiatives and community recycling programs.

The process of making remanufactured ink and toner cartridges.

The steps listed below outline the process of making remanufactured ink and toner cartridges at InkjetsClub. Most sellers follow more or less a similar process for making remanufactured printer cartridges.

Used OEM cartridges collected either directly from printer users or via community recycling programs are sorted by type, brand, model, and cartridge number (a unique identifier for a cartridge meant to be used with a printer of certain make and model).
To prevent inkjet cartridges from drying, they are stored in a controlled environment.
Our quality control professionals check each cartridge for damages if any. Electrical testing tools are used to check the performance of each cartridge.
If there’s any ink or toner left inside a cartridge, it’s emptied by a technician.
De mineralized water (free of dissolved minerals) is used with a cleaning system in order to clean cartridges. Post cleaning, cartridges are dried in a temperature-controlled environment.
Cartridges are refilled with high-quality ink or toner with the help of a refilling machine, designed specifically to follow OEM specifications. The ink or toner formula is designed to match the print quality of name brand cartridges.
If there’s an electronic chip on a cartridge, it is either reset or replaced so that your printer recognizes a remanufactured inkjet or toner cartridge. If you’ve refilled cartridges at home, only to find out later that your printer refuses to recognize them, it could be due to an electronic chip.
Our quality control professionals inspect each cartridge after it has been vacuum-refilled and dried. Getting the pressure inside the cartridge is extremely important.
Cartridges that pass the quality check are carefully sealed in order to prevent leakage.
Just like original-brand cartridges, remanufactured cartridges also go through page yield testing using ISO standards in the final stage.
Cartridges that pass the page yield test are cleaned yet again and packed in heat-resistant packs.

If you have in the past been disappointed with Costco refills or tried refilling cartridges at home, the process outlined above should make it clear how remanufactured printer cartridges are made to perform and deliver quality comparable to expensive OEM ink and toner cartridges.

Will remanufactured cartridges affect manufacturer’s warranty?

No printer manufacturers cannot prevent you from using remanufactured cartridges or third-party consumables.

Just make sure you shop with a reliable seller. Do not buy from anonymous sellers online even if refurbished cartridges are offered at throwaway prices. Poorly refurbished cartridges can damage your printer.

Final Words

When you buy remanufactured ink and toner cartridges for HP, Brother, Epson, and Canon printers, you do not just save on printing costs.

You help the environment too.

Since remanufactured printer cartridges are made from recycled (almost entirely) and reconstituted OEM cartridges and parts, it helps prevent even bigger piles of non-degradable plastic-waste ending up in a landfill somewhere.

10 Things to Consider When Purchasing a Camera

August 13, 2022 August 14, 2022

Electronics

Are you interested in photography but don’t know where to start? If you are ready to take your photography beyond your smartphone, but don’t know where to start with your camera purchase, Schiller’s has the class for you. In “How to Buy a Camera” we will introduce students to the different styles of photography, different variations in the cameras, and their purposes – so you can make an educated purchase. In this blog, we have highlighted 10 main points of our professional course to help every aspiring photographer in making a camera selection. To learn even more about selecting the perfect camera for your photography needs, register for our “How to Buy a Camera” course. Click to read more…

1. Before You Buy a Camera

What are you going to use the camera for? Ask this question of yourself before you buy a camera. Do you want something that will take better photos than your phone or do you want to get into photography as a hobby or business?
What is your budget? If you are starting this as a hobby, you may not need a professional grade Digital Single Reflex Lens (DSLR) camera but you may want to get something that will allow you to grow into a DSLR. Or you may just want something to bring with you for better snap shots than your flip phone does.

2. Types of Cameras

Point-and-Shoot: These are great for snap shots and traveling light on vacation. They offer optical zooms that can’t be matched by a cell phone.
Bridge Camera: like the Nikon P1000: These are a little bigger than a Point-and-Shoot and will offer more features, mainly better zoom and telephoto capabilities. They are also a one-piece unit, which makes them easy to keep the sensor clean and there’s no need for space for extra lenses. The Nikon P1000 will outperform all but the top of the line professional cameras with multi thousand-dollar lenses. Great for birding!
Interchangeable Lens Cameras – DSLR & Mirrorless: Unlike bridge cameras, these cameras allow you to use different lenses so you have more creative options.
APS-C (and micro 4/3) vs full frame vs medium-format: Cameras come with different sized sensors (the digital film).When someone says full frame they mean the sensor is the same size as a 35mm film negative. APS-C and micro 4/3 have sensors smaller than a 35mm film negative and medium-format are larger. This will matter when you are buying lenses as well as when you are considering which camera you want to buy. The smaller sensors can have the same number of pixels as the full frame, the pixels are just smaller. Technically this means a smaller sensor will not capture an image quite as well as a full frame but it really only matters at the extreme, like taking photos of the Milky Way.

3. DSLR vs Mirrorless

Traditional DSLR Cameras have a mirror inside them that allows you to see through the lens so you see what the picture framing will look like. Mirrorless Cameras use a sensor that captures your image as a video feed to the Electronic Viewfinder (EVF).
Size: DSLRs are much larger in size and weigh more. For people with big hands, the larger cameras feel better in our hands. A Mirrorless Camera will generally be smaller, lighter, and better for traveling.
Battery life: Mirrorless Cameras use smaller batteries (because the camera body is smaller) and the viewfinder is electronic, which means you will go through batteries faster. It is advised to carry a spare with you when shooting with a Mirrorless Camera.
Optical vs Electronic Viewfinder: The optical viewfinder will save you on battery power, however, an electronic viewfinder has the advantage that it can be set to show you exposure of your image before taking the photo.

4. Speed and Performance

File size, or MegaPixel (MP) is what most people first look at when buying a camera. The higher the MP, the sharper the photo will look and the larger you can print. It also corresponds to the price of the camera. ISO is a key performance factor to consider when buying a camera. It essentially dictates how your camera will perform in low light situations. The higher the number, the less light you will need. Unless you are going to go out and shoot sporting events or wildlife, frames per second (fps) should not be your main concern. However, if you are going to shoot those things, FPS will increase the chance of “getting the perfect shot.”

5. The Mega Pixel Myth and Reality

There are some who chase after more megapixels but the truth is a 20mp camera will give you plenty of information to 20”x30”. In some cases, more pixels can hurt. In low light, a full frame sensor with fewer pixels will have less issues with digital noise than a crop sensor with more pixels.

6. Ergonomics

If it is too heavy or doesn’t fit well in your hand, then you will be less likely to take it with you. This is a major benefit of an in-person camera store shopping experience. You can hold the camera and see how it feels in your hands. However, please don’t come in and then buy online, we can’t stay in business and if you find a new camera cheaper online it is probably grey market and you will not be able to get it serviced. Camera manufacturers set the price, not the stores.

7. Interchangeable Lenses

If you decide to purchase a camera where you can change lenses, you open up a big box of choices. There are prime lenses that are just one focal length. Lower numbers, like 15mm, are wide angle and will show more in your photo. Great for landscapes. Around 50mm is “normal” and what our eyes see. Over 85mm is considered telephone and this is like a telescope, it brings far subjects closer. Great for taking photos of bears in the wild when you want to stay a safe distance from your subject. After prime there are zoom lenses and they come in all different lengths. Primes are usually smaller, lighter, and better in their image quality than zoom but will not give you the flexibility. Zooms allow you flexibility with fewer lenses to carry around. There are also lenses made just for APC-S cameras that will not work on full frame cameras. Full frame lenses work on both, but they are generally more expensive. One thing I like to tell people is “you buy a camera, but you invest in lenses.” Lenses last longer than the body and I often recommend, if you think that one day you may buy a full frame camera, only buy full frame lenses.

8. Image Stabilization

This helps reduce camera shake. There is in body image stabilization (IBIS) and lens image stabilization (Canon lenses rock this.) Image stabilization can really come in useful in low light.

8. Video

Most all digital cameras these days will allow you to shoot some video. If you think you are going to shoot a lot of video, be sure to do some research first. However, if you just may capture some special moments, you should be fine with any camera made within the last 5 years.

9. Other considerations

Shooting Mode: Most cameras have Mode settings. These are the basic modes; M for manual, A or AV for aperture priority, S or SV for shutter speed priority, P for program, and AUTO (in green letters) for fully automatic. These are all designed to allow you as the photographer to choose the shutter speed and aperture used to take a photo. Our class on “Photo Fundamentals” or the “Art of Photography” will go deep into how and why you would want to control these functions. Most of the consumer cameras also have a scene setting. This is fully automatic like the AUTO setting, but it allows you to tell the camera what you are shooting like sports, close-ups or other scenes. The camera will adjust for the scene to give you better photos.
RAW vs Jpeg: Jpeg can be used for almost anything. Sharing on social networks, emailing, and printing. They are smaller than RAW images and you will not need to do anything to them. RAW, on the other hand, will need to be processed by a photo editing program like Lightroom or Photoshop. Then why shoot in RAW? Jpeg compresses a photo. Basically, it gets rid of information the computer doesn’t think you need. RAWis all the data from the camera’s sensor. It allows for more detail, mostly in the dark and light areas.
Wifi & GPS: Wifi on your camera is made to transfer a few images to your phone so you can share them right away. On some cameras, it allows you to control and take photos using your phone as a controller. Additionally, some cameras put GPS tags where you took the photo. I’m not a big fan of GPS mainly because it is always on and uses a lot of battery power, however, I can use the GPS from my phone and Wifi of my camera if I want to tag an image.
There is Weatherproof, dust-proof, and freeze-proof; then there is waterproof: Weatherproof is not waterproof. If you are going to be out in bad weather or dusty places, spend the money for a camera that is well sealed. Just remember, it is not waterproof. If it falls in a river, it will be ruined (and I hope you purchased a MAC warranty). There are waterproof cameras that are designed to go underwater and or cases made for your camera that allows them to go underwater like for scuba divers.
While there are many things to consider when purchasing a camera, the experts at Schillers are always prepared to educate you on features, tips & tricks, and anything else before you make the decision. We offer in-store consultations with our trusted team members to help simplify the process. In addition, if you want to learn more about purchasing a camera, or any of our professional class topics, register for an expert-led introductory photography course today!

Should you buy a used Projector?

August 13, 2022 August 14, 2022

Electronics

If this is your first time then welcome! This site is all about creating the ultimate man cave, home theater, or gaming room set up. Whether you need help with some technical questions, need ideas, or anything of that nature, this site is meant to help you with all those aspects related to the topics above. I figure deciding to buy a used projector can apply to a wide range of people not just looking to build a home theater. Maybe you want a home theater set up in your garage or for office space and you’re stuck deciding on how to get a projector to match your budget. You could also be wondering if it’s worth getting a cheap used projector just so your kids can enjoy its basic function.Click to read more…

There are some common questions you might have such as whether it is a good idea to buy a used projector. It’s tempting to want to find the cheapest / best deal on a projector if you fit into these categories. Maybe you also want a high-end model from years ago for a better price and you’re wondering if buying refurbished is a good option. So the question arises:

Add to cart

So should you buy a used projector?

There’s only a few instances in which buying a used projector is a better idea than not. Factors such as bulb life, projector type, price, and warranty status are the biggest things that will sway you one way or the other.

You don’t want a projector that could be nearing the end of its bulb life, nor do you want a used projector that could die sooner than you wanted and require more money towards repairs. However, it can be a very good deal for you if you find a projector that checks the boxes on all the things we just mentioned.

The rest of this article will help you understand these factors in more detail. I want you to use this article as a quick reference to help you reach a decision on your purchase more efficiently, and in a manner in which you feel like you made an informed decision. Don’t just fall for the appealing price! So without further delay, let’s get started!

I called Best Buy and asked them the same question: this is what they said…

I gave the tech support guys a quick call and explained to them what I was looking for. My call consisted of asking them what they would recommend if I was looking to buy a used projector for a cheap set up in an office, garage, or for an entry-level home theater set up.

They did in fact say they would recommend buying a used projector if it could check some important boxes. I was actually more skeptical of buying a used projector than they were, but by the end of the conversation, I understood what they meant.

It depends on what type of projector it is

There are a few different types of projectors: DLPs, LCDs, SRXDs to name a few. DLPs have the longest bulb life out of the models I just listed. LCDs are the worst! I absolutely do not recommend buying an LCD projector because of how crappy its bulb life is. It’s so much more likely to die by the time you inherit that projector from someone who’s already used it for some time.

DLP projectors have bulb lives of thousands of hours! Most home theater projectors will be DLPs, just make sure none of the products you look at is LCD!

It depends on whether it’s refurbished or “open” box status

“Refurbished” means that the product was sent to the manufacturer because something in it was all jacked up. It could be anything from a loose screw to a part of the motherboard that needed to be saudered back on. Either way, this causes the price of the projector to go down substantially. When someone returns a projector, for this reason, the manufacturer might refurbish it and resell it at a lower price because the buyer wanted a brand new model.

Open-box means that the product was returned because it wasn’t what the user expected the product to be and it was within their return window. Open-box projectors are more expensive because no technical work was needed to get the projector up and running. There are four tiers of open-box status. Tier 1 = they returned it within the trial window because it wasn’t what they wanted. Tier 4 = it came and didn’t work as advertised so they returned it, it got fixed, and the buyer wanted a new model anyway. Try to find a projector lower and the tier rating.

Bulb life, price, and age all relate to each other (and equally matter)

Warranty fits in with these factors as well. It’s ideal to find a projector that still has a warranty on it at the time of purchase (for a period greater than 90 days). It’s also okay if it doesn’t have a warranty left on it. I’m not at all sponsored by Best Buy, but if you go through them, the guy said they can put Geek Squad Protection on it so you’re still covered if you have any issues. Also, note that replacing a dead bulb will cost around $200.

When you’re looking at a used projector, consider the following questions. Has the bulb been replaced already on the projector or will it likely burn out while I own it? Will the price of any repairs / additional warranty equal the cost of me just buying a projector new? How old is the model and when was it manufactured? How much has the projector been moved around? Has it been dismounted multiple times and packed up considerably? That could lead to some additional wear and tear.

A Good Example of a Used Projector Deal

The Epson PowerLite Home Cinema is a great example I’ll use (Best Buy found this for me and I could have bought this one during the phone call).

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema, $400, 3100 Lumens, Refurbished, 1080p, only 90 days left of warranty. This one has a lot of lumens! It’ll be nice and bright with good image quality. I could even put Geek Squad Protection on it for extended warranty and it’ll still be a good deal. Epson makes good projectors with long bulb life, I trust this brand to hold up for many years to come.
Not as ideal example: Epson Home Cinema 2150, $600, 2500 Lumens, Refurbished, 1080p, 1 year left on the warranty. Buying this one new would cost around $700 on Amazon. That’s not that much more initial investment. This projector will be an awesome addition to any space you put it in, it’s worth that amount if you have a budget above $600.

With all the products the Best Buy guy mentioned to me during our call, I found it’s only a real steal if you can spend less than $500 on a bright DLP projector with minimal costs to extended warranties.

Conclusion

Buying a used projector doesn’t have to be a stressful endeavor! You just have to be aware of what to look for and know what constitutes a good deal. By the end of this article, I’m confident that this is all the information you need to make a sound purchase for whatever you decide to use your projector for.

Knowing what to look for was a completely foreign concept when my family purchased my first one! I wrote an article on our first dedicated projector purchase. Buying it new was a better option because this was actually a good price for a projector of this quality.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out at entertainmentden.ns@gmail.com and I’ll do my best to respond. If you have any other article suggestions don’t hesitate to let me know as well. Thanks for reading and be sure to check back for the next article!

Tag Archives: Support

Saves Money

Good for the Environment

Good Maintenance

The Friendly Tech Guy

Delivery

Hardware and Software Makeover

Familiar with New Features

Refurbished Servers Warranty

Conclusion

What about damaged parts in a used printer cartridge?

Where are remanufactured cartridges sourced from?

The process of making remanufactured ink and toner cartridges.

Will remanufactured cartridges affect manufacturer’s warranty?

Final Words

1. Before You Buy a Camera

2. Types of Cameras

3. DSLR vs Mirrorless

4. Speed and Performance

5. The Mega Pixel Myth and Reality

6. Ergonomics

7. Interchangeable Lenses

8. Image Stabilization

8. Video

9. Other considerations

Find the best deals on the our used desktops & Laptops. Up to 70% off compared to new

So should you buy a used projector?

I called Best Buy and asked them the same question: this is what they said…

It depends on what type of projector it is

It depends on whether it’s refurbished or “open” box status

Bulb life, price, and age all relate to each other (and equally matter)

A Good Example of a Used Projector Deal

Related Questions

Conclusion

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Warranty

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