Businesses, regardless of their size, need the right equipment to carry out operations properly. Recently, with the advent of cloud computing, we saw businesses flocking to cloud servers for their data storage needs. However, depositing all of your data on a cloud might cause problems on your end if your connection to the cloud gets severed or it falls prey to a cyberattack.
This is where servers come into play. They provide reliability and security and help you carry out your data-related processes much faster and safer. While a cloud server’s speed and capacity depend on the provider and your network connection, the performance of physical servers depends on their components.
Servers are powerful computers that will help you set up a complete data backup strategy and even set up multiple applications to help your business operations run seamlessly. However, servers come at a price, and the better the performance of the server specifications, the higher the price. That being said, if you want to obtain servers at an accessible price point, refurbished and used servers are your best option.
Let’s explore the main differences between refurbished and used servers to help you find the right piece of hardware for your business needs.
What Exactly Is Refurbishment?
In simple terms, refurbishment is taking a used device and restoring it to its former glory. Refurbished equipment is cheaper than brand new and is often the best choice for small businesses that want top-of-the-line equipment without breaking the bank.
Refurbishers will repair multiple parts of the device and replace failing ones. They will also ensure that the device will be suitable for use and last the user for years. They will also replace parts that can lose durability with time and replace them with new ones. Cooling systems are incredibly important, so refurbishers replace them with brand-new ones. They also apply a layer of thermal paste to the CPU, which can get pretty hot if you run multiple operations simultaneously.
The performances of refurbished servers are exactly the same, given that they have the same specifications – RAM, CPU speed, SSD, etc. Refurbished servers are sold by vendors that specialize in restoring hardware equipment. You will fetch much better deals on refurbished servers than brand-new ones and receive the same performance levels.
Used Servers Performances
Used servers are devices that have been in use for a period of time. More often than not, used devices are not refurbished, and that’s why you should vary when in the market for a new device. You can never know how the previous owner treated the device and whether it will break down after a short period of time.
In addition to that, if the previous owner didn’t take proper care of the device, it might be filled with dust and other particles that might impact its performance. Dust can affect how your device’s cooling system works; if it isn’t working properly, the system can overheat, shut down, and fail to save data.
Since servers run 24/7 and process data in real time, it’s of utmost importance to ensure that the device runs at optimal performance levels without any interruptions.
Should You Buy a Refurbished or a Used Server?
Refurbished servers are your best option if you want to buy good equipment for your business at a reasonable price. On the other hand, used servers can be found for incredibly low prices online, but you can’t know just how well the device was maintained by its previous user, so it’s best to avoid them if you can afford refurbished equipment.
You can even develop a proper working relationship with a vendor that refurbishes and sells equipment, which might help you fetch better deals and enjoy solid performances without breaking the bank. Furthermore, with refurbished servers, you can also expect to receive a warranty, guaranteeing the device’s longevity and solid performance.
Bottom Line
Finding the right server for your needs can sometimes be challenging. You will have to carefully review the specifications and determine where to run the tasks you need on that particular device. Besides that, brand-new servers will require you to make a significant capital investment which might be unappealing to small businesses.
If you want to obtain the right equipment at the right price, you should consider refurbished equipment, as you can get equivalent performances as you would with brand-new servers with the exact specifications. Before you purchase the equipment, make sure that you have enough storage to set up these devices.
