Does anyone have experience with refurbed notebooks and / or PCs?

I would like to purchase another notebook and / or a desktop PC and have already scoured various platforms. Starting with eBay including classified ads, Amazon and last on the site of "refurbed". The reviews that I have read so far were consistently positive, in advance, but again here demand whether someone has already gained experience with the provider "refurbed".

Among other things, I looked at the Lenovo ThinkPad T420 and an HP EliteDesk 800 G1. Of the ThinkPad currently already have two in the S-variant and for the purpose Caddy, docking station and driver support with another liebäugle. On eBay (classifieds), there are the T420 partly significantly cheaper. So I would like to parallel to my main question, whether the provider also replaced the battery when "refreshing" or how it is generally handled there.

On notebook and desktop PC is supposed to run Windows XP and / or 7 and Linux derivative. Since there seems to be no XP drivers for the EliteDesk anymore (too new), finally we would like to have a tip for a similar model with Windows XP support. Last but not least: I know that Windows XP Support has already expired since May 2014. However still need for some older programs and my patched VMs are not always sufficient. Especially when it comes to connected "peripheral devices".

I even refurbed a notebook myself. The buyer has unfortunately complained that nothing on the thing works.

He asked for the provider refurbed.

I even refurbed a notebook myself.

How @Halbrecht has already spelled correctly, have asked about experiences to the provider refurbed and not if someone has already passed on / sold something himself.

My ThinkPads have always shot on eBay. In search of another T420 / s I came across refurbed and I would like to listen again here before.

The buyer has unfortunately complained that nothing on the thing works.

Own several notebooks and desktops, some of which were purchased second hand. So far always was satisfied and only with this dealer still no experience collected.

I got the T430 refurbished. A nice device… Uh wrong, that was a lie! It is not nice, but good… Say it is just not a design icon. The design of the device is quite straightforward and knit according to the motto form follows function, but I'm just not an aestheti…

It is not nice, but good… Say it is not just a design icon.

The appearance is relatively unimportant to me and the performance is clearly in the foreground. Since I already own two T420s and are really satisfied, I would like to buy one again.

The T420 is just the last version with classic IBM keyboard, which I still appreciate. Whereby I already had your T430 for Coreboot on the screen.

I got the T430 refurbished.

So you ordered your T430 on "refurbed"? If so, was the battery replaced with a new one? My ThinkPads are currently running on the first battery and can last between two and three hours.