I never bought used computer parts. Are these parts generally reliable for ~2 years when bought used?
2-3 years is not a lot. My daily driver laptop is from 2011 and still going strong.
Sure, there are “lemons” out there, but there are also a lot of people who just replace their hardware often.
I also only buy used phones (I don’t have high requirements) and as with laptops, batteries are the “weak link” - as you correctly point out.
A brand new battery for my laptop, can be had for ~30-65 USD though, and the battery is easy to replace (doesn’t even require screwdriver). I never use it untethered anymore though, so I don’t bother..
I'd like to see some numbers on it.
I think most batteries must puncture or corrode to pose a physical hazard. Alkaline batteries can corrode, but I’ve never seen issues with old Li-Ion unless exposed to violence and/or water.
EDIT:
Some numbers found quickly: https://www.britsafe.org/safety-management/2024/lithium-ion-...
Non-polymer electrolytic capacitors can dry out, but just about all decent modern motherboards use polymer-based since years ago.
My current NAS is my previous desktop, which I bought in 2015. I tended to keep my desktop on 24/7 due to services, and my NAS as well, so it's been running more or less continuously since then. It's on its second PSU but apart from that chugging along.
I've been using older computer parts like this for a long time, and reliability increased markedly after they switched to non-polymer caps.
Modern higher-end GPUs due to their immense power requirements can have components fail, typically in the voltage regulation. Often this can be fixed relatively cheaply.
If buying a desktop I'd check that it works, it looks good inside (no dust bunnies etc), seller seems legit, and I'd throw a new PSU in there once I bought it.
Server-side, I also bought used Xeons for an old box and recertified 10TB Exos. No issues there neither.
The HDDs are a bit of a gamble, but for anything else I can only encourage you to buy used!
> It helps that our local Cragslist offers efficient buyer protection.
This sounds like a very good upgrade to Craigslist and eBay!
I was taken aback by this.
I almost never buy new parts, except phones, and not always then.
I don't think I've bought a new computer since about 2001 or 2002, and then, that was because someone else was paying and her stipulation was new only. Before then... the 1980s?
Computer hardware is like a car: when you exit the shop, 25% of the value just dissipates like a puff of steam. Within about 3 years, another 50-60% is gone. So, I always try to buy kit that's more than about 3Y old, because that's when it becomes cost-effective.
When you pay 10% of the new price, that means you are getting at least 10x the price:performance ratio. It's almost impossible to buy anything new that is 10x faster than something ~3 years old and it has been for 20-25 years or more now.