Refurbished computers have plenty of perceived benefits for a dental practice balancing many expenses: obvious discounts, less e-waste, the ability to replace machines in chunks as deals pop up, and, given how often computers need replacing, refurbs can seem like a no-brainer.
Saving money matters when running a practice or opening a startup, but refurbished computers may cost more in the long run. As an MSP that had spent 14 years in the dental space when we wrote this, we had real-world examples from over 1,500 clients to draw on. Clients can buy new equipment from us, but more importantly, we want them buying equipment (from any source) that helps them run efficient, effective practices. Here’s the real cost of refurbished versus new.
01Warranty
New
- Warranties from 2 years upward in most cases
- Darkhorse Tech-sourced PCs: 3 years of Dell ProSupport
- Coverage spans the years most issues appear
Refurbished
- Typically 90-day warranties, even from reputable manufacturer sources
- Only a quarter of a year of protection
- Savings can vanish with one repair
A problem with a new PC out of the box is possible, but most issues appear in the first few years, and a warranty protects you from paying for the same computer twice. By the time it expires, you’re usually replacing the computer anyway: between HIPAA requirements, third-party software, and daily wear and tear, the average lifespan is around four to five years.
A 90-day warranty gives some peace of mind that you didn’t buy a lemon, but the money you save can be gone after a few months. Replace it with another refurb and you may be in line for another unexpected expense, plus lost revenue from downtime, diagnosis, and shipping. By the time you replace a refurb, you may have spent more than a new computer with three years of guaranteed functionality.
02Software compatibility
Dental technology is changing rapidly. From cloud computing to improved sensors, intraoral cameras, and CBCTs, the demands on a dental office PC grow with the technology. The more you ask of a computer, the more important it is to have current hardware so you get the quality your integrations advertise and the longevity your finances require.
One of the most common frustrations we hear from new clients is that they can’t use the newest dental tech because their legacy computers can’t handle it, and cutting-edge products rarely look back to ensure compatibility with older generations. A refurbished computer is largely built from original components, maybe with some upgrades, but it’s still older tech. When we source computers for clients, we inventory the hardware and software they use and plan to use, then choose specs that meet today’s needs with some future-proofing.
03True age
Simple and to the point: especially from marketplaces like Amazon, it’s hard to know a refurbished computer’s true age. Refurbs often have piecemeal parts, some with shorter lifespans than others. A “like new” computer may have an aging processor or drive that won’t play well with new tech and needs replacing, which means downtime, sourcing issues, and the higher cost of individual components.
04HIPAA compliance
HIPAA requires that computer systems not be vulnerable. A common issue with deal-site or refurbished computers is the operating system. Once a manufacturer stops supporting an OS (as happened with Windows 7), the computer is no longer compliant, exposing your practice to malicious activity, data breaches, fines, and downtime.
05Speed
Third-party software is built for current hardware: faster processors, larger drives, and the latest graphics cards. With imaging, practice management, patient engagement, and paperless systems running at once, speed is at a premium. Pair sleek software with a clunker and you lose functionality across the board. It’s like putting a Yugo engine in a Tesla: it might look like you know what you’re doing, but it’s all façade.
Tears of a tech
While brainstorming this post, I asked one of our techs for any other considerations about refurbished computers in a dental practice. After a pregnant pause: “David hates when you buy refurbs and he cries himself to sleep every time he sees one. Don’t make David cry. He’s nice.” Speaking in the third person aside, I couldn’t agree more.
About Darkhorse Tech
Whether you’re just starting out or a well-established organization, Darkhorse Tech has the experience and technology to help get you moving, cut costs, and streamline your operations with unlimited IT support. We help you do what you do best: provide top-notch care and service for patients, not deal with IT problems, time spent on hold with technical support, or complicated technical mishaps. Our additional security services include:
- Unlimited remote and/or on-site IT support of all your hardware and software
- Improved network performance and security
- HIPAA-compliant off-site and local backup service (Darkhorse Secure Backup)
- Managed antivirus, anti-malware, and anti-ransomware (Darkhorse Security Products)
- Compliance and security law standards
- Microsoft security patch management
- Vendor management: we will be on the phone, not your employees
- Secure, remote access to your office
- Firewall management
- Network management
- Long-term planning and budgeting
Contact us anytime to learn more about our dental-specific solutions and unlimited support packages. Read our reviews or call us today at 800.868.4504.
.svg)
