Refurbished Offering Review

This is a review of refurbished products on Ebay.

Offering Review is a website that provides honest reviews of refurbished tech products. I was able to get in touch with the company owners through the contact page and learned about how they wanted to use cryptocurrency for their business model.Are refurbished products really as good as new? Are they worth the risk of buying a second-hand product to save money? Additionally, we should pay more attention to reviews and ratings when looking for products.

The “refurbished apple” is a company that sells refurbished products. They offer computers, tablets, and more at affordable prices.

In this review, we’ll look at the physical components that make up this HP 8300 Elite, as well as offer you some advice on what to look for if you’re thinking about purchasing a used computer.

HP 8300 Elite Small Form Factor Desktop PC, i5-3470 Overview

For years, HP has been making the 8300 Elite series desktop computers, which are popular in workplaces, schools, organizations, and homes. HP does refresh their offers with new hardware from time to time, but the older versions are often reconditioned and resold – and that’s what’s on sale here.

First and foremost, the i5-3470 HP 8300 Elite desktop is designed for consumers looking for a low-cost, high-performance PC. It is now available for a price of

, which is extremely impressive since it also features a completely functional operating system.

This specific Amazon offering includes a keyboard and mouse, a 90-day warranty, and Professional edition of Windows 10 version pre-installed, making it a plug-and-play option that’s ready to use right out of the box.

But let’s be honest up front: this is a ‘certified refurbished’ computer, which means it isn’t brand new but has been certified to work as well as new. If you’re not sure what this implies, have a look at our article on reconditioned computers.

This computer’s hardware is rather good, and it should be sufficient for most people. It’s powered by a medium-high-level CPU that’s roughly 5 years old, yet it’s still more than capable of tackling ordinary computer duties in 2017.

Pros

Cost-effective: a plug-and-play system with a modest price tag.
Windows 10 Professional is already installed on your computer.
Storage capacity of 500 GB
Dual displays are supported by the processor.
Keyboard and mouse are included.
90-day guarantee

Cons

Wireless adapter is not included.
Because this is a refurbished build, you can’t be sure what kind of hardware you’ll receive (for example, brands, models, or ages).
Because it is not directly from the manufacturer, there is a risk of quality control difficulties.

Performance

First and foremost, let’s go over what you receive with this computer. As a certified refurbished computer, it must be checked and any problematic components changed in order to fulfill a minimal standard, which is promoted as:

Intel Core i5-3470 Quad Core Processor, 3.2GHz
RAM memory: 8 GB
SATA hard disk with 500GB of storage

Given that the computer is a reconditioned one, the specific hardware that you will get is unknown.

Should I Buy a Refurbished Computer? we discussed this topic recently. When purchasing used computers, we suggest sticking with computer manufacturers since you can be sure of the precise hardware you’re receiving. However, in this scenario, Amazon has its own vendors who finish the refurbishing.

Processor

This computer’s CPU is an Intel Core i5-3470, a mid-high-level processor that was initially launched in mid-2012. Its i5 Quad Core processor is ideally suited to multitasking and medium-heavy tasks. Although it is an older model, it nevertheless provides enough performance for everyday usage and even entry-level gaming. It should remain relevant for a few years if you aren’t doing anything too demanding.

Computer Graphics Card

This computer, like many others, does not have a separate graphics card and instead depends only on the processor’s integrated graphics. The processor’s Intel HD Graphics 2500 is good for general-purpose operations like viewing movies, webcam chatting, and playing low-end/entry-level computer games, however you’ll have to keep your game settings low and it won’t be able to perform any demanding games without a separate graphics card.

Memory

This computer has 8GB of RAM, which is more than plenty for the rest of the gear. You won’t have to be concerned about falling short in this area.

Storage

There is a 500GB hard disk included. The 500GB refers to the quantity of storage space available, which is a substantial amount that will fit most users.

We’ve noticed that the drive’s speed has no minimum specification; this is normally expressed in RPM (revolutions per minute), and we wouldn’t advocate anything lower than 5200RPM. In most situations, the speed of the hard drive impacts how ‘quick’ or’slow’ the computer seems to operate for the average user on this machine. You’ll have to play the ‘try and see’ game here since there’s no minimum stated. We should point out that a standard HP 8300 Elite has a 7200RPM hard drive, thus the reconditioned choice should at least equal this.

Connectivity

Because the 8300 Elite doesn’t come with a wireless adapter, you’ll need to either use an ethernet cable to connect to the internet or buy a separate wireless USB dongle like the one below.

This kind of wireless network adapter may be found on Amazon for a reasonable price.

In general, motherboards, power supplies, other hardware components

Other hardware components are not stated since this is a reconditioned computer, and the seller has complete control over what the machine ships with. However, it should have been tested and verified to work as well as a new-build with the same requirements.

Because the motherboard, power supply, and other components are unknown, this computer may not be ideal for those who want to update it in the future by swapping out RAM, graphics cards, and other components. For one thing, the smaller case may make it difficult to install more cards, but there’s also the uncertainty of the motherboard’s specs and how many open slots it may have, as well as the power supply’s capacity and size. You should be able to know precisely what components you’re receiving if you buy a non-refurbished computer.

A LightScribe DVD read/write drive is also included for reading DVDs and CDs.

Usage

The HP 8300 Elite is a general-purpose computer designed for the average user with no highly specialized processing requirements. The Intel i5 CPU, which has integrated graphics, was released in 2012 and was a medium-high end product at the time, which means it readily handles typical tasks such as:

using word processing and spreadsheeting tools in the workplace
accessing and viewing multimedia files such as films and images
internet searching
Chatting through camera or voice
multitasking in general
Low-end computer gaming (as long as there isn’t a lot of graphics processing)

This computer will perform well and meet your needs for work or personal use; however, if you plan on doing any more advanced tasks, such as video editing, running programs like Adobe Photoshop or AutoCAD, or playing more demanding computer games, you may be better off with a computer with a dedicated graphics card.

The case itself has a compact form factor, so it takes up less room than a normal computer tower, and it can be used vertically (standing up) or horizontally (sitting down) (lying down).

Gaming Capabilities

Because this computer lacks a specialized graphics card, it will struggle to play demanding games. However, for recreational gaming on games that aren’t as demanding (for example, Minecraft), the on-board graphics processor should suffice.

Screens/Video

On the back of the casing, there should be two display outputs: one VGA port and one Display Port. Because the Intel processor’s inbuilt graphics enable dual displays, you should be able to operate two monitors as long as you have the appropriate connections (or plug adaptors for VGA/Display Port).

A VGA male to DVI female adapter, such as this one, allows you to connect a DVI cable to the HP 8300 Elite’s VGA connection.

Is there anything wrong with having it refurbished?

In this essay, we go over all you need to know about refurbished computers, so be sure to read it for more information.

The takeaway message is that when purchasing refurbished items, you are purchasing something that has already been used; thus, the more respectable the person or firm doing the refurbishing, the better. That’s why we prefer refurbished products from the original manufacturer, but that doesn’t mean third-party refurbishments can’t be just as nice.

In this situation, this Amazon offering might come from a variety of merchants, but all of them must adhere to Amazon’s updated product rules. Typically, this indicates that the product you get should function as well as the new counterpart; however, be aware that refurbishments may employ different components than those used in the original new offering.

In most circumstances, as long as the firm has a solid returns policy, you may purchase the goods, try it out, then return it for a refund if you’re not satisfied. When purchasing reconditioned, the most important thing to check is that return policies like this exist, since this protects you from obtaining anything different than what you signed up for.

The HP 8300 Elite is being upgraded.

Although we previously said that this HP 8300 Elite may not be the ideal choice for individuals looking to modify or upgrade their PC in the future, this does not rule out the possibility.

If you add a graphics card to this computer, it will transform it from a general-purpose computer to one that can play several recent games.

Depending on the motherboard, you may be able to fit a half-height graphics card in this machine — as long as it has a PCIe x16 connection for the graphics card to plug into. Almost all motherboards should include this, but double-check before buying components.

If you need a lot more graphics processing power, a half-height GTX 1050 graphics card will fit in the HP 8300 Elite. To see it on Amazon, go here.

We propose the GTX 1050 half-width graphics card, which should fit inside the HP 8300 Elite’s small-form-factor casing.

One thing to keep in mind is that installing a graphics card will need more power, so make sure your computer’s power supply has enough headroom to accommodate the graphics card. The GTX 1050 consumes roughly 75 watts, and nVIDIA recommends a minimum power supply of 300 watts.

If you want to install a dedicated graphics card in the HP 8300 Elite, ensure sure the computer’s original power supply is at least 300 Watts. However, the original power supply for the compact form factor Elite 8300 is just roughly 240W, so you’ll almost certainly need to replace your power supply as well.

Check out our tutorial on how to replace/upgrade a computer’s power supply if you’re not sure how to do it. Be careful that this power supply’s form factor (physical size) may be smaller than others.

Remember to factor in heat, particularly if you reside in a hotter environment. While this graphics card is low-power and isn’t meant to generate a lot of heat, it’s worth evaluating whether or if any current fans in the case can be upgraded. Keep in mind that keeping your computer components cool might help them last longer.

Small Form Factor HP 8300 Elite (Certified Refurbished) Specifications

Note that these specs are for a certified refurbished HP 8300 Elite listed on Amazon.

Some of the information below is based on the specifications for a stock Small Form Factor HP Compaq 8300 Elite here and here, but keep in mind that depending on who is doing the refurbishment, a refurbished option may not include the exact same hardware (as they only need to be equal in performance).

System of Operation:

Windows 10 Professional

CPU:

Intel i5-3470 Quad-Core 3.2 GHz Processor, LGA1155 Socket 5th Generation Intel i5-3470 Quad-Core 3.2 GHz Processor, LGA1155 Socket

Graphics:

Intel HD Graphics 2500 on-board graphics adapter

Motherboard:

Intel Q77 Express chipset

I/O ports on the back:

4 USB 3.0 ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports 1 VGA monitor 1 × 1.1a2 Display Port 1 RJ45 LAN port 1 RS-232 serial port 2 PS/2 ports (keyboard and mouse) One line in, one line out

I/O Ports on the Front:

4 USB ports 2.0 jacks 1 pair of headphones a single microphone

Memory:

8GB of internal memory

Internal memory maximum: DDR3 non-ECC, 32GB maximum, 4 DIMM (According to the HP Compaq 8300 Elite specifications)

Storage:

500 GB, 7200 RPM, SATA 6.0 Gb/s, SMART IV, 3.5″ SATA 6.0 Gb/s SATA 6.0 Gb/s SATA 6.0 Gb/s SATA 6.0 Gb/s SATA (According to the HP Compaq 8300 Elite specifications)

Power Source:

240W PFC Active (According to the HP Compaq 8300 Elite specifications)

Wireless:

This item is not included.

Drive Optical:

DVD read/write optical drive LightScribe

Dimensions/Weight:

4.0 in. x 13.3 in. x 14.9 in (10.0 x 33.8 x 37.9 cm)

16.7 kilos (7.6 kg)

The Small Form Factor 8300 Elite’s official Illustrated Parts & Service Map can be found here.

Summary

The HP 8300 Elite Small Form Factor with i5-3470 CPU is a solid choice for the average user, and it may even be a good deal for the occasional gamer if they’re prepared to add a dedicated graphics card and even a power supply update. Its CPU is a 2012 quad-core processor with a medium-high degree of performance.

If you’re going to purchase this used product, be sure to read our guide to purchasing refurbished computers to understand what this entails; nonetheless, if you’re prepared to accept the 90-day guarantee, we have no reservations in recommending this HP 8300 Elite as a fine PC for general usage.

Refurbished electronics are typically sold at a reduced price, but what does refurbished mean in electronics?

Frequently Asked Questions

Are refurbished products trustworthy?

A: A refurbished product is generally considered to be one that has been returned by the original owner and then restored for sale. The term usually applies to electronics, but can also apply to other things like books or clothing.

Is refurbished good or bad?

A: Refurbished is not bad, but it depends on the refurbishment process. If you are buying a product that has been returned to its original state before being sold again, this would be considered as refurbished. But if someone just bought something and then tried to return it, this would be called used.

Is refurbished a good website?

A: Yes, refurbished is a good website.

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