About Refurbished IBM Laptop Hard Drives

Every year, thousands of computers are returned to IBM for the purpose of refurbishing or recycling. These computers come from corporate leases and other programs sponsored by IBM to keep older computers and their components, including hard drives, out of landfills and put the salvageable systems to use where computers are needed most, including schools and charities.

History

IBM has sold refurbished hard drives since the early 1990s and now sells hard drives and other used computer components all over the world. The hard drives are returned to the factory, where they are tested for stability. If the drive meets certain standards, it is then wiped clean and sold though various outlets as a refurbished hard drive.

Significance

Because of the company’s high standards of manufacturing, IBM refurbished hard drives are considered to be a quality computer component. Because they are refurbished at the factory, most are sold with a warranty that covers the drive for a limited amount of time, assuring that the customer is satisfied with his purchase.

Function

A refurbished hard drive functions in the same way that a new drive operates. It can be used as a system’s main hard drive or as a second or backup drive to hold data or multimedia or as a rescue drive in case of failure of the primary hard drive.

Types

IBM refurbished hard drives can be found for both laptop and desktop systems. The amount of data the refurbished hard drive can hold varies depending on capacity, but depending how what model system the drive was removed from, it may be the same as new hard drives currently on the market.

Identification

All IBM refurbished drives have the IBM logo on the specification label and are clearly marked as a “Genuine IBM Used Part.” The drive may have been manufactured originally in another country, but the IBM logo assures the quality of the drive.

Considerations

When IBM refurbishes and recycles a hard drive, all previous data, including the operating system, is removed from the drive. The drive, unless installed in a refurbished system, is sold blank, and it is then up to the consumer to format and install an operating system on the drive.

Benefits

Purchasing an IBM refurbished hard drive can be a cost effective option when upgrading or replacing a system’s hard drive. Because they are considered used, the refurbished drive may cost much less than a similar new drive. Also, by purchasing a refurbished drive, the consumer is, in effect, giving her computer more “green power” by recycling an old drive and thus reducing waste.