Refurbished Toughbooks are a Great Buy Provided they Pass a Simple 5 Question Test.

Just as not all new rugged mobile laptops are not created equal, neither are refurbished models.

On the other hand, this much is certain: a refurbished Panasonic Toughbook – the crème de la crème of the ruggedized breed – usually costs less than half of a brand new unit of the same model number. Even still, is buying a refurbished Toughbook a smart move? The answer is a resounding “yes” if you can answer “yes” to the following five key questions.

• Is the unit really refurbished or just used? To earn the refurbished label, a Panasonic Toughbook must be thoroughly inspected and pass numerous performance tests. In the process, and as necessary, one or more component parts will be replaced if they are not performing up to par or cosmetically appealing. Used, on the other hand, typically means just that, i.e., past its prime, and patched back together for a quick resale
• Has the Toughbook been refurbished by a company and individuals trained to do so? Throughout the entire U.S., there are only a small handful of Authorized Panasonic Toughbook Warranty Repair Centers. Telrepco, we’re proud to say, is one of the chosen few. Which means that every member of our team of skilled refurbished technicians is factory trained in the art and skill of both Toughbook refurbishing and repair.
• Has the Toughbook been refurbished with high quality parts? Part of the reason why Toughbooks are the best in class is that they’re made with the best component parts. To provide any less in the refurbishing process knocks that machine down a rung or two on the quality ladder. At Telrepco, we use only the best quality parts in our repair and refurbishing work…everything from the smallest screw to the largest replacement Touchscreen. We even tend to the machines’ cosmetics, removing all scratches and providing a fresh coat of paint to provide the look and feel of new.
• Does the repair/refurbishing company have a wide body of experience? Being properly trained is one thing. Having the experience to handle any repair or refurbishing challenge is its own qualification, and a necessary one for the sake of quality assurance. Telrepco was formed in 1984 and, in the intervening years, we have repaired and refurbished thousands of Panasonic Toughbooks…most every make and model
• Does the company back up its work with product warranties? If not, then don’t buy it! That’s a clear indication that the company offering the refurbished products either doesn’t have enough confidence in its own abilities or that the product itself is at least in some way deficient. Telrepco, by contrast, offers a one-year warranty as standard on all of our grade “A” refurbished Panasonic Toughbooks and provides up to a 3-yr warranty either with bundled offer or as an add-on option.

It all comes down to this. There’s a HUGE difference between refurbished and used rugged laptops, especially Panasonic Toughbooks. And that difference is quality. So if you’re looking for a product that’s going to last and not make you wish you had spent the extra money on a new machine, insist on refurbished. Insist on the work being performed by an Authorized Panasonic Toughbook Warranty Repair Center. Ask for references. And, perhaps above all, don’t buy a refurbished Toughbook without a warranty from a reputable, experienced provider.