Buying a computer (new, refurb or used) and Windows 11 hardware requirements

Porthos · Mar 11, 2023

Winuser said:
If a big box store is selling a refurbed OEM computer with Windows 11, It's going to be compliant.

Big box stores have a lot of 3rd party sellers on the sites.

badrobot · Mar 11, 2023

Porthos said:
Big box stores have a lot of 3rd party sellers on the sites.

They still come with at least 1 year warranty specially PCs.
Otherwise, look somewhere else. You have to be snarter than them.

Winuser · Mar 11, 2023

Porthos said:
Big box stores have a lot of 3rd party sellers on the sites.

I call bull. Big box stores such as Best Buy are selling computers from the OEMs. OEMs are going to stay compliant with MS.

Dru2 · Mar 12, 2023

mackie said:
I know Microsoft does, but I was referring to the ads by sellers online, for used, refurbished and new computers.

A simple statement would make things much easier for the average buyer. But, it probably won’t happen.

Perhaps the onus should be on the customer who's purchasing the product. You're the one paying.

Before I buy anything the first thing, I do is research - What am I buying? Value? Pass or purchase?

Porthos · Mar 12, 2023

Winuser said:
I call bull.

Here is just one example at Walmart. Robot or human?

The Dell OptiPlex 7010 DT is a pre-built business desktop computer first released in 2012. Although more than five years old, it is still a viable solution for home and office.

cereberus · Mar 12, 2023

Dru2 said:
I don't disagree with that. I alos understand things happen. I think he saw a good deal and took advantage of it. The only thing is he had to change the OS. I don't think that's a bad exchange. And it you want the plus... you're installing a fresh OS on the machine. That's time but worth it

But it still goes to my point they weren't acquired through HP

Yeah but what if buyer had wanted Windows 11 but not on an incompatible machine.

Forget all the baloney about how to get around incompatibilities - people have found they cannot upgrade builds with WU and have to use iso upgrade method. Ok for most forum users, no big deal but how many of the public would know how to do this?

First time, guy gets an upgrade and it does not work, they are going to be upset as they will feel they have been scammed!

The crucial point seller is deliberately misleading the buyer!

They are being disingenuous - not actually lying but implying Windows 11 compatibility!

All comes down to "Caveat Emptor" regrettably.

Winuser · Mar 12, 2023

Porthos said:
Big box stores have a lot of 3rd party sellers on the sites.

Walmart.com is just like Amazon. When it comes to third party sellers, Walmart is just the middle man and not the actual seller. The Dell you listed say's used. Who is the actual seller. Did Dell refurb the computer or a third party just install Windows 11 and put it up for sale?

Winuser · Mar 12, 2023

Winuser said:
Walmart.com is just like Amazon. When it comes to third party sellers, Walmart is just the middle man and not the actual seller. The Dell you listed say's used. Who is the actual seller. Did Dell refurb the computer or a third party just install Windows 11 and put it up for sale?

I took another look at the Dell and it was a third party and not Dell.

ThrashZone · Mar 12, 2023

mackie said:
When buying a brand new computer advertised with OS= Windows 11, is it safe to assume that nowadays they meet all the hardware requirements for Win 11? Or do you still have to go through a lot of self searching hoops to make sure all the individual components meet the specs? That's basically what buyers had to do right after MS first came out with their new hardware requirements and not all the manufacturers were onboard. Now that some time has passed, are they pretty much all on board for meeting the specs?

What would be your approach to buying a refurbished one advertised with OS= Windows 11?

And then if you saw a real good deal for a used one advertised with OS= Windows 11?

Hi,
Actually many are not telling the complete truth about compatibility so be careful

On another note there's going to be some good price corrections pretty soon so don't get in a hurry

mackie · Mar 12, 2023

^^^ Agree. If you buy new you should be ok. Anything not new, check out carefully and ask the seller questions. I also read the reviews on those webpages from people that have bought the product.

badrobot · Mar 12, 2023

There are so many safe options to buy a PC from. Just don't deal with 3rd party market sellers to avoid problems. That is the first thing that you should keep in mind. Buy direct from manufacturer's website or Bestbuy, etc.. I know computers very well. But even so, I wouldn't get from 3rd party market sellers even if the hardware is 100% Windows 11 compatible. They are very difficult to deal with when problems arise.

ThrashZone · Mar 12, 2023

Hi,
Yep if you have a micro center around you it's a good one place to look at seeing they have inhouse tech support.

mackie · Mar 12, 2023

^^^ bad robot, reading the reviews from previous buyers, and the ratings, can give you some idea about the product and the seller.

ThrashZone · Mar 12, 2023

mackie said:
^^^ bad robot, reading the reviews from previous buyers, and the ratings, can give you some idea about the product and the seller.

Not always
No real reason to go through third party sellers.

mackie · Mar 12, 2023

ThrashZone said:
Not always
No real reason to go through third party sellers.

Now that we are in the Windows 11 era, I am beginning to think so too. Prior to W 11, in earlier times, I bought a total of 3 used pc’s. One was outstanding, one was very good, and the third one was poor. When I opened the case on the last one, one of the hdd’s was barely hanging on by just one screw. I use the hdd’s for external storage nowadays.

badrobot · Mar 12, 2023

mackie said:
^^^ bad robot, reading the reviews from previous buyers, and the ratings, can give you some idea about the product and the seller.

Just my own rule of thumb. I would rather buy from Amazon and if there is any problem, I can get my money back the next day with no questions asked and without having to go through weeks or months worth of back and forth emails or RMA approval.
I do actually buy most of my PC components from Amazon after cross checking prices with other big box stores.

Porthos · Mar 12, 2023

Winuser said:
Walmart.com is just like Amazon.

My only point is that Walmart can be considered a "big box". All of them have 3rd party sales on the online sites.
Walking into any of the Walmarts, best buy's and you get new offered only.

badrobot · Mar 12, 2023

Porthos said:
My only point is that Walmart can be considered a "big box". All of them have 3rd party sales on the online sites.
Walking into any of the Walmarts, best buy's and you get new offered only.

I never really shop at Walmart. I always think of it as a wet market or something. Just me.
But then again, it all depends on what you are buying. If you are trying to invest on expensive hardware, choose your store wisely. If you need just a perculator or a rice cooker, then any 3rd party seller will probably do.

cereberus · Mar 12, 2023

badrobot said:
I never really shop at Walmart. I always think of it as a wet market or something. Just me.
But then again, it all depends on what you are buying. If you are trying to invest on expensive hardware, choose your store wisely. If you need just a perculator or a rice cooker, then any 3rd party seller will probably do.

I never shop at Walmart - mainly because nearest is over 3000 miles away LOL.

Winuser · Mar 12, 2023

Porthos said:
My only point is that Walmart can be considered a "big box". All of them have 3rd party sales on the online sites.
Walking into any of the Walmarts, best buy's and you get new offered only.

I do understand that but my point is that Walmart is not the seller and Dell did not refurb that computer and install Windows 11.