Used IBM equipment and refurbished IBM equipment (second hand IBM equipment) is as good as new IBM equipment, only cheaper. When you purchase used IBM equipment or refurbished IBM equipment you are getting the best in the business.

IBM offers everything from notebooks and desktops to servers and peripherals. There's no better way to save than with refurbished IBM equipment. All the used IBM equipment offers the same IBM quality and performance. It also comes with a 90-day quality satisfaction guarantee, if purchased directly from IBM.

Here are 10 reasons to buy used or refurbished IBM equipment:

1. IBM quality available at a discounted price
2. Access to a large selection of used IBM systems, with upgrades and features available, including newer models
3. You can expand your existing IT infrastructure rather than introducing new systems
4. Compatible hardware provides parallel configurations during data center moves, solution testing or peak load periods
5. Provides high availability or disaster recovery when you are under by budget constraints
6. Used IBM equipment can be a good proposal when your budget puts new equipment out of reach
7. Reduces your fixed costs to enable you to be more competitive
8. Lowers IT costs
9. IBM's consistent infrastructure causes minimal IT disruption
10. Pre-owned IBM equipment is backed by high quality service

Used IBM equipment that you can purchase online includes:

1. Desktops and related used IBM equipment
2. PC printers and monitors
3. Midrange servers
4. Storage
5. Intel servers
6. Notebooks
7. Unix servers
8. Mainframe servers
9. Networking equipment
10. Miscellaneous parts and accessories

You can find used IBM equipment throughout the Internet at many electronics suppliers. You just need to look for information about used IBM equipment or information about refurbished IBM equipment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase used IBM equipment directly from IBM

IBM offers a great deal of low cost, refurbished IBM equipment.

I recommend: You can purchase IBM Certified Used Equipment directly from IBM. Also available directly from IBM are desktops (PCs), notebooks and laptops, PC printers & monitors, iSeries systems, pSeries systems, storage systems and networking equipment.

Locating suppliers of used IBM equipment

There are many used IBM equipment suppliers that sell all types of used IBM equipment.

I recommend: Other providers of used IBM equipment are in abundance on the Internet and include: UsedIBMEquipment.com, Frontier Computer Corp. (FCC), TriniComp Systems and TigerDirect.

Buy refurbished IBM equipment from other suppliers of refurbished IBM equipment

There is a difference between used IBM equipment and refurbished IBM equipment. Used means just that, it has been used and is not new. Most used retailers sell these products 'as is.' Refurbished IBM equipment is a better deal in that most suppliers of refurbished IBM equipment have taken this equipment, tested it, rebuilt it, cleaned it up and then are selling it, and most of them offer a warranty.

I recommend: You can purchase used IBM equipment from many sources including: Vernon Computer Source, which asks that you fill out a form online and then they provide a quote to you; R-Cubed Service and Sales lists quite a few refurbished IBM equipment products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure you are getting good, quality equipment. One thing that makes buying used IBM equipment a plus for small businesses or startups is that you can buy quality products at a fraction of the cost.
• •  Most sellers of refurbished IBM equipment and suppliers of refurbished IBM equipment will provide financing and free shipping. Warranties also come with most of the refurbished IBM equipment that you purchase.