We almost always ask ourselves this question when we need to purchase IT networking equipment and aren’t sure whether to buy new or refurbished hardware this time. Answering this question and making the right decision really depends on our current needs.
When we talk about refurbished network hardware, people generally think of something that’s secondhand, but in reality, it’s hardware that’s been repaired by experts using new replacement parts, so the electronic product is in optimal condition for use and, most importantly, won’t have any problems for a long time.
Why buy new network hardware?
The arguments for purchasing new networking equipment boil down to two main factors: features and long-term reliability.
Buying new network equipment means you’ll get the latest technologies, which is important in an industry like IT. Since your investment in hardware will likely become outdated within 4–5 years, buying the best today means you’ll be able to keep it in use for more years.
As a result, new hardware almost always comes with better warranty and support options, with the exception of the Cisco Refresh program, which offers the same warranty as new equipment. It’s also worth noting that new hardware will retain its value longer, increasing your return if you decide to resell it later when upgrading.
Essentially, a company that purchases new hardware is investing in its future. While the upfront costs are significantly higher, the improved reliability and longer lifespan can often add up to a better return on investment down the road.
Benefits of buying refurbished networking equipment.
The main argument for buying used networking equipment is capital expenditure, since secondhand hardware can cost half as much—or even less—than an investment in new hardware. However, there are actually other important factors in favor of purchasing refurbished hardware:
- Faster deployment: New hardware is typically built to order or at least pre-configured by the vendor. This generally extends the lead time to 2–6 weeks for delivery, whereas refurbished hardware is usually available for installation the same day. If you need network hardware as soon as possible, choose to purchase refurbished network equipment.
- Minimal learning curve: Familiar hardware and technologies require less training and reduce the chances of your IT department making a mistake during implementation.
- Compatibility with existing systems: Very often, purchasing a new piece of network hardware requires buying additional hardware that is compatible with it, whereas with refurbished hardware, it’s much easier to replace a single piece of equipment without having to test it first.
- Easy part replacement: Just like with older cars, older network hardware is much easier to maintain. Parts are easier to obtain and require less expertise to install.
Basically, if today’s needs are more important than your future projects, refurbished hardware is probably the best option. Sometimes you simply don’t need the luxury of solving problems that are still years away. Moreover, even large telecommunications companies don’t use brand-new hardware.
MercadoIT is a distributor of refurbished and new networking hardware.
MercadoIT is the first Spanish company dedicated to buying and selling a wide range of refurbished products, such as IP phones, servers, routers, and switches.
We offer the largest selection on the market of new and refurbished network products and equipment, including popular items from both current and previous generations from leading data center and network equipment vendors such as Cisco, D-Link, Arista, TP-Link, Juniper, Huawei, HP, Alcatel, Dell-Force, and Netgear.
Major national data centers, large corporations, hospitals, and public and private universities are our primary clients.
