Buying a Used Server
If your company is in the market for a new server but has to stick to a tight budget, buying a used server might be the best bet. How much you get for your money depends on how well you evaluate your IT needs, what type of hardware you need, who to buy a server from, and how old of a server you're willing to purchase.
Required Server Capabilities
When looking at used servers, you should be sure to define the capabilities you believe the server you purchase needs to have. Ask yourself the following questions: does your company need enhanced security? How heavy of a workload will you need the server to manage? What type of partitioning do you want the server to be able to handle? And so on. Defining the specific functions your server will need to be able to handle will narrow your buying options down, helping you make a decision easier.
Think Ahead
It's generally thought that a company doubles its amount of data in just one year. Keep this in mind when buying a used server, as you will need one that can support expansion, particularly of memory, storage, and scalability. Since your present network will most likely expand within the next few years, make sure that the server you get can be easily expanded; otherwise you'll just have to buy another one in a couple years.
How Old is the Server?
Always check into a server's history before buying one. This is especially important if you are buying just a used one, not a refurbished one. With a used server, you need to make sure that its components are still working, that it can be expanded if need be, and that its operating system isn't too outdated. Otherwise, you'll be buying a new server much sooner than you expected.
Consider Refurbished
A refurbished server offers everything a new server does, but at a discounted price. They perform just like new, typically offer a warranty, and are available with technical support. Unlike a used server, a refurbished server has undergone diagnostic tests to make sure each component is in working condition, had any malfunctioning part removed and replaced, and has been cleaned inside and out. Overall, a refurbished server will most likely be in much better condition than a used server.
Who You Buy From
When buying a server, you should make sure that the company you are going through is reputable. Do your research. Read reviews, good and bad, and try talking to a representative of the company before purchasing the server. A good, quick way to make sure a company is reputable is whether or not they offer any type of warranty on the product. A warranty is a good indication that the company fully stands by their products, and is sure you will be satisfied with the product.
If you're in the market for a server but really don't have the budget for a brand new one, consider buying a used server. They will be cheaper, and if you get one that has been refurbished, they will perform just like new.
Required Server Capabilities
When looking at used servers, you should be sure to define the capabilities you believe the server you purchase needs to have. Ask yourself the following questions: does your company need enhanced security? How heavy of a workload will you need the server to manage? What type of partitioning do you want the server to be able to handle? And so on. Defining the specific functions your server will need to be able to handle will narrow your buying options down, helping you make a decision easier.
Think Ahead
It's generally thought that a company doubles its amount of data in just one year. Keep this in mind when buying a used server, as you will need one that can support expansion, particularly of memory, storage, and scalability. Since your present network will most likely expand within the next few years, make sure that the server you get can be easily expanded; otherwise you'll just have to buy another one in a couple years.
How Old is the Server?
Always check into a server's history before buying one. This is especially important if you are buying just a used one, not a refurbished one. With a used server, you need to make sure that its components are still working, that it can be expanded if need be, and that its operating system isn't too outdated. Otherwise, you'll be buying a new server much sooner than you expected.
Consider Refurbished
A refurbished server offers everything a new server does, but at a discounted price. They perform just like new, typically offer a warranty, and are available with technical support. Unlike a used server, a refurbished server has undergone diagnostic tests to make sure each component is in working condition, had any malfunctioning part removed and replaced, and has been cleaned inside and out. Overall, a refurbished server will most likely be in much better condition than a used server.
Who You Buy From
When buying a server, you should make sure that the company you are going through is reputable. Do your research. Read reviews, good and bad, and try talking to a representative of the company before purchasing the server. A good, quick way to make sure a company is reputable is whether or not they offer any type of warranty on the product. A warranty is a good indication that the company fully stands by their products, and is sure you will be satisfied with the product.
If you're in the market for a server but really don't have the budget for a brand new one, consider buying a used server. They will be cheaper, and if you get one that has been refurbished, they will perform just like new.
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