Misconceptions about refurbished cisco network hardware

Myths and misconceptions surround the market for refurbished Cisco equipment, creating unnecessary fear, uncertainty and doubt. Many of these misconceptions have been precipitated by OEMs; no doubt because some have admitted they look upon the used Cisco market as their No. 1 competitor. To set the record straight, it's time to debunk some of the commonly heard myths about refurbished Cisco equipment. Myth #1 - The Secondary Market = The Gray Market In reality, the two markets should not be painted with the same brush. In fact, most reputable sellers of refurbished Cisco equipment have more stringent practices in place to detect black market or counterfeit goods than most OEMs and VARs/distributors. Product packaging is not a reliable way to judge authenticity, which is why the best used Cisco marketers conduct extensive tests on all used Cisco equipment resold to prove legitimacy. In addition to setting high standards, top providers in the used Cisco market are working closely with law enforcement to eradicate the counterfeit equipment problem. Myth #2 - Used Equipment is Abused Equipment Reputable marketers of used Cisco equipment do not sell their goods "as is." All offerings are fully refurbished to ensure they are as close to original condition and performance as possible. Buyers should only deal with used Cisco equipment sources that have a proven track record for longevity, financial stability and outstanding business practices. Myth #3 - The Equipment You Need is only Available New More used Cisco equipment is available than ever before. Top providers in the secondary market maintain extensive inventories of the most popular networking equipment. This means the vast majority of requests can be filled on the spot. If not, these used Cisco providers have extensive contacts, enabling them to fulfill requests within days. In contrast, it often takes weeks or months to secure new equipment from manufacturers. Myth #4 - Third-Party Components = Inferior Products A third-party component is not necessarily an inferior replacement. For example, Cisco buys its memory from NEC, Samsung and other "third parties" rather than manufacture those products. The memory does not carry a Cisco logo, even when they resell it, so identical items are available directly from the memory manufacturer. Purchasing accessories like memory directly from the "third party" source may reduce costs as much as 80 percent. A knowledgeable used Cisco market provider helps identify these savings opportunities while ensuring all "third party" components are, in fact, high-quality equipment. Myth #5 - Used Cisco Equipment Comes With No Warranty In 2004, NHR introduced the industry's first standard, one-year overnight replacement warranty on every used Cisco equipment purchase. Since then, many other players in the used Cisco market have followed suit, surpassing the warranties offered by many OEMs. Myth #6 - Technical Support is Not Available Leading suppliers of used Cisco equipment offer both pre - and post-sale technical support from certified technicians. In most cases, these experts test up to 100 pieces of used Cisco networking gear each day, giving them more real-world experience than even most OEM technicians. Clearly, it's time to dispel the myths and forge past the FUD about the used Cisco market to view this growing segment as a viable and reliable alternate source of networking equipment.

Guide to choosing a custom built desktop computer

You are probably familiar with the saying “different strokes for different folks”. Well, this phrase rings especially true when it comes to computers and their uses. While a computer may be perfect for one person, it may be useless to somebody else. This is because there are so many variations of what’s actually inside a computer. For this reason, many people are opting to have their computer systems custom built. If you are one of the many people contemplating a similar idea, you may be unsure as to where to start. In this article, we’ll present you with a guide to choosing a custom built desktop computer. The number one appeal for people in choosing a custom built computer is price. It is often far cheaper to build a computer than it is to buy one new from a company. To get the most out of your custom built computer, you will first have to identify the key components that you absolutely need. This will help save you time and money. So, let’s take a look at the perfect custom built desktop computer for a variety of users. In today’s world, many people use a desktop computer for only two reasons – word processing and internet surfing. If you fall into this category of user, you will have no problem choosing a custom built desktop computer. When deciding on a processor you basically have two choices; Intel and AMD. It is important to note that for simple web browsing and word processing, there is virtually no difference between the two processors. It is recommended that you go with an Intel Pentium 4 or an AMD Athlon. This is strictly a matter of preference, and you may want to do additional research to determine which is right for you. You will also want to determine the amount of memory you make available in your desktop computer. Again, for simple tasks such as these, anything more than 512MB will be more than sufficient. The rest of your system can be built with average secondary components, such as sound and graphic cards, and a CD/DVD drive. If you happen to be a big-time gamer, you will need a computer with more RAM as well as better graphics capability. It is recommended that you upgrade to 1MB or 2MB of RAM. It will also enhance your game-play experience if you install a faster processor, perhaps even a dual core processor. These processors make it much easier to multitask while providing the ultimate gaming experience. Lastly, don’t forget to add a nice monitor and speaker system if you are building a computer geared towards gaming. This will also add to your overall enjoyment of your system. The final type of user we would like to cover in this guide is the person who does a lot of work on the computer. This person will need a high-quality motherboard, which is always the most crucial element of any good computer. A motherboard helps your computer run at its optimum level, while ensuring all secondary components work properly. Somebody who stores a lot of data on their desktop computer will need to invest in a high-end motherboard. In addition, this type of user will also benefit from extra RAM, which will help in storing files. This guide to choosing a custom built desktop computer should only serve as your first step in making a more informed buying decision. In addition to the aid of this guide, you should also perform thorough research and work with a trusted builder. It is important to remember that what you are putting into your custom built desktop computer will allow you to get the most out of it. Good luck!

What to do with an old computer system

Anyone who has purchased a computer system has learned how quickly they lose their value, and become obsolete. This rapid devaluation often leads to the dilemma: what to do with an older system, when you’re no longer going to use it? Selling it is most often a waste of time and effort. A computer bought for $3,000.00 on January 1, 2005 and then put up for sale on December 31, 2005 will rarely bring offers of more than $100.00 - $150.00, and even these don’t come often. Older systems are proportionately less valuable. One quick, easy solution is to donate the computer system to a charity, and write-off what is appropriate. However, charities are quickly becoming more and more skeptical about accepting older computer systems, and less and less likely to surrender receipts (for use with a tax return) for very much money. Sometimes it is a wise course of action to simply 'cannibalize' the older system for components that will work in other systems. Some components can be switched between older and newer computer systems. These can include power supplies, hard drives, RAM, graphics cards, speakers, keyboards, CD and DVD readers/writers and so forth. If you have a use/need for your old DVD burner in your newer system, you're almost always best off going the 'cannibal' route. But there are some other options, some of which can be quite attractive. Sometimes, the otherwise out-of-work computer system can be set to tending some necessary and/or useful affairs and matters. Hand-in-hand with cannibalizing is stripping out components and selling them individually. This can be especially beneficial if you recently installed a hardware upgrade to the now defunct system such as a good DVD or CD reader/writer, or a new hard drive. Not only are the components often easier to sell, they will bring more money and ship much, much easier – and cheaper. DEDICATED FAX SYSTEM You can turn almost any old system into a dedicated fax receiver at either your home or office. It can be incredibly convenient to have a fax at the house! Anyone who has bought a house or car lately will attest to how nice a fax at the house would be. Remember, the system does not have to be set to always receive faxes. You can turn it on or off as you deem necessary based on your use and needs. All your system requires for this application is a phone line, a modem, and Windows®. The fax service in Windows® must be turned on and configured in order for this to work properly. This is very easily accomplished through the Control Panel of Windows. HOME ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM Recently, manufacturers of computer systems and components have entered the home entertainment business – with a vengeance. No longer are computers just good for games and music, now you can hook them up to control your TV, cable signals, speaker systems, VCR, DVD player, etc. You can even record to and play from them. The system would need some hardware and software, but not too much, and all of the necessities can be had at reasonable (and quickly dropping) prices. You can learn more about the rapidly growing home entertainment computer systems industry on any number of sites on the Internet. A good place to start is microsoft/windowsxp/mediacenter/default. mspx. As you can see, you don't have to throw up your hands and scream when you're offered 5% of what you paid for your computer system a year earlier. There are some other options, some of which can be quite satisfying and rewarding.