Are refurbished hard drives safe?

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I would use them for Linux to kick around , but for windows I prefer 1st quality hard drive and be sure to back up real regular or not put critical data on one [nothing that cant be easily recovered or reinstalled ]

I think like usaf said as well if a factory WD or Seagate referb maybe a bit more trustworthy ???

look over things like the reviews here and see how there luck runs ?

https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=100167523 4016 600003300
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Barty1884

Barty1884

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I don't think there's any conclusive data to confirm how they hold up vs a "new" counterpart. Manufacturer refurbished probably should be ok, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Given how cheap storage is (a 2TB HDD should be in the $60-$80 range), the small savings opting for a refurbished unit don't seem worth the risk (however slight the risk may be).
 
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Giroro

Giroro

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There's a good chance a hard drive sold as refurbished is probably just an open-package return that had minimal, if any use.

I still wouldn't trust one, unless putting it in a redundant array, or low importance/easily recoverable data like in a PS4
 
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DSzymborski

DSzymborski

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I would *only* consider a refurbished hard drive if you have a regular, automatic backup solution that backs up your important data. You really should anyway, but especially with a refurbished hard drive.
 
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Ali Tauseef

Ali Tauseef

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Nov 20, 2012
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Hi guys, thanks for your replies.
Well yeah I wouldn't buy on Ebay and I would keep the suggestion in mind to buy it from the manufacturer. I am just scared if it dies, I probably won't be able to afford another one.
Anyways, I found a Hitachi Ultrastar, well it's weird, it is refurbished but it says it's original price is 70$ which is reduced to 40$ because of sale, I think the hard drive is 76$ new so it's only a 5 dollar saving, would this be worth it? I think Hitachi hard drives generally aren't bad quality.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822146134
 
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Barty1884

Barty1884

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Looks like it's Manufacturer refurbished and a 90 day warranty period - about as good as you'll get.

HGST are one of the better manufacturers and have a pretty low fail rate - but I believe that's only measured vs "new" items.

For $40 though.... it's tempting, but a listed "new" one is <$60:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.88 @ Amazon)
Total: $58.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-04-07 14:15 EDT-0400

Reviews are hit & miss though, but with an Amazon purchase, they'll refund you if it's not "new" - so i'd go for that instead.
 
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J

junkeymonkey

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I would use them for Linux to kick around , but for windows I prefer 1st quality hard drive and be sure to back up real regular or not put critical data on one [nothing that cant be easily recovered or reinstalled ]

I think like usaf said as well if a factory WD or Seagate referb maybe a bit more trustworthy ???

look over things like the reviews here and see how there luck runs ?

https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=100167523 4016 600003300
 
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