Refurbished 4TB and 8TB drives - Blu-ray Forum

RockyIII · 09-03-2018, 11:55 AM

I see a lot of refurbished 4TB and 8TB drives online. The prices are enticing but the word 'refurbished' worries me a little. But then again, I wonder if buying a refurbished drive is as 'hit or miss' as buying a refurbished BD player or a TV set.
A TV set wears out as the hours of usage increase, for example, but what can go wrong with a used/refurbished drive? Once you wipe it clean it should be as good as new. Am I wrong in assuming this?

chip75 · 09-03-2018, 04:13 PM

They're not really any different from new drives apart from they may have seen some use, most are tested. If you're saving a lot they might be tempting, but as with any HDD back up your data if it's critical.

RockyIII · 09-03-2018, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chip75

They're not really any different from new drives apart from they may have seen some use, most are tested. If you're saving a lot they might be tempting, but as with any HDD back up your data if it's critical.

But unlike with a refurbished TV set, there is no way to gauge the mileage left on a drive, so if we buy a used drive we cant really tell how long it will last?

Vandal Savage · 09-03-2018, 04:56 PM

I wouldn't trust a refurbished HD for crucial data.

RockyIII · 09-03-2018, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vandal Savage

I wouldn't trust a refurbished HD for crucial data.

What would you trust then (that is affordable)?

halloween5309 · 09-03-2018, 06:03 PM

refurb is fine if it has a decent warranty, just in case, stick with a name brand like wd or seagate

zrdb · 09-03-2018, 07:29 PM

I've gotten a few "refurbished" drives and have never had a problem with them-although there are a few I'd stay away from such as Seagate drives.

chip75 · 09-03-2018, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyIII

But unlike with a refurbished TV set, there is no way to gauge the mileage left on a drive, so if we buy a used drive we cant really tell how long it will last?

You can get most refurbished drives with a warranty. If you're just using them to store data on (like replaceable movies or music), and not constantly read-writing to them, they should last.

Most refurbished drives aren't terribly old so they should be okay for data storage.

shinobipopcorn · 09-04-2018, 03:18 AM

For starters, stay away from anything green label or equivalent. The constant parking to "save energy" just translates to more wear and read time.

My opinion on new vs refurbished tech has always been that I don't want other people's junk and/or problems. And just glancing through the prices on Newegg, they're not that different. I'll take a used video game or a book since it can't break down, but a used device is a different matter. A store like Newegg that has a solid rep would at least be a good place to buy from, as opposed to some stand off the street.

HotRats · 09-04-2018, 08:05 AM

Personally I wouldn't touch a used drive but if you must, use Acronis Drive Monitor or similar to show you what state the drive is actually in. I use WD 6TB models, either Black or Gold (there's little real world difference). I don't use 8TB as these are helium drives. At this stage helium drives do look a fraction more reliable than air drives but there is endless debate about the helium migrating through the metal and what would happen in a total leak. I don't know so for now at least I'm sticking with air drives. This is an excellent site for stats on drive reliability https://www.backblaze.com/blog/hard-...s-for-q1-2018/

Wingman1977 · 09-04-2018, 05:07 PM

I would only buy refurbished directly from the manufacturer. With that said, I'm uncomfortable buying refurbished HDD's.

RockyIII · 09-04-2018, 05:59 PM

I use WD 4TB drives only. Up to now I've only purchased brand new from Best Buy but the refurbished ones on Ebay for $80 got my attention. It would be nice to save a few bucks.

Wingman1977 · 09-04-2018, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyIII

I use WD 4TB drives only. Up to now I've only purchased brand new from Best Buy but the refurbished ones on Ebay for $80 got my attention. It would be nice to save a few bucks.

Personally, the trade off isn't worth it.

shinobipopcorn · 09-05-2018, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyIII

I use WD 4TB drives only. Up to now I've only purchased brand new from Best Buy but the refurbished ones on Ebay for $80 got my attention. It would be nice to save a few bucks.

Bad idea. Where is the thing coming from? Is the seller reputable? I don't even trust buying used DVDs on ebay.

RockyIII · 09-05-2018, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinobipopcorn

Bad idea. Where is the thing coming from? Is the seller reputable? I don't even trust buying used DVDs on ebay.

Ebay sellers

Tedd · 09-14-2018, 11:38 AM

If you buy from Best Buy, have you considered shucking their 8 Tb Easystore drives? They vary on sale from $150 to $170. You end up with a white or red WD drive.

Their 4TB Easystore drives are usually on sale for $90, so shipping might be eating up some of your $10 savings.

RockyIII · 09-14-2018, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tedd

If you buy from Best Buy, have you considered shucking their 8 Tb Easystore drives? They vary on sale from $150 to $170. You end up with a white or red WD drive.

Their 4TB Easystore drives are usually on sale for $90, so shipping might be eating up some of your $10 savings.

I found brand new 4TB WD drives for sale for less than $90 + free shipping on Ebay, but they are not always available. When they are sold out the only other 4TB drives for less than $90 are refurbished. Hence my question in the OP.

09-03-2018, 11:55 AM	#1
RockyIII Blu-ray Baron Member since:Feb 2016 Location:Miami, Fl Trading Score:25	Refurbished 4TB and 8TB drives I see a lot of refurbished 4TB and 8TB drives online. The prices are enticing but the word 'refurbished' worries me a little. But then again, I wonder if buying a refurbished drive is as 'hit or miss' as buying a refurbished BD player or a TV set. A TV set wears out as the hours of usage increase, for example, but what can go wrong with a used/refurbished drive? Once you wipe it clean it should be as good as new. Am I wrong in assuming this?

09-03-2018, 04:13 PM	#2
chip75 Blu-ray Grand Duke Top contributor Member since:Oct 2010 Location:Wales 4K collection:304 Blu-ray collection:3099 DVD collection:1782 iTunes collection:230 Trading Score:9	They're not really any different from new drives apart from they may have seen some use, most are tested. If you're saving a lot they might be tempting, but as with any HDD back up your data if it's critical.

09-03-2018, 04:56 PM	#4
Vandal Savage Expert Member Member since:Mar 2013	I wouldn't trust a refurbished HD for crucial data.

09-03-2018, 06:03 PM	#6
halloween5309 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2012	refurb is fine if it has a decent warranty, just in case, stick with a name brand like wd or seagate

09-03-2018, 07:29 PM	#7
zrdb Banned Member since:Jan 2014 Blu-ray collection:365 Trading Score:1	I've gotten a few "refurbished" drives and have never had a problem with them-although there are a few I'd stay away from such as Seagate drives.

09-04-2018, 03:18 AM	#9
shinobipopcorn Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Jan 2017 Location:Cow Country Home Theater Gallery:11 4K collection:75 Blu-ray collection:438 DVD collection:304 MA collection:266 Digital collection:303 iTunes collection:238 Blu-ray reviews: 30 Trading Score:6	For starters, stay away from anything green label or equivalent. The constant parking to "save energy" just translates to more wear and read time. My opinion on new vs refurbished tech has always been that I don't want other people's junk and/or problems. And just glancing through the prices on Newegg, they're not that different. I'll take a used video game or a book since it can't break down, but a used device is a different matter. A store like Newegg that has a solid rep would at least be a good place to buy from, as opposed to some stand off the street.

09-04-2018, 08:05 AM	#10
HotRats Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Mar 2009	Personally I wouldn't touch a used drive but if you must, use Acronis Drive Monitor or similar to show you what state the drive is actually in. I use WD 6TB models, either Black or Gold (there's little real world difference). I don't use 8TB as these are helium drives. At this stage helium drives do look a fraction more reliable than air drives but there is endless debate about the helium migrating through the metal and what would happen in a total leak. I don't know so for now at least I'm sticking with air drives. This is an excellent site for stats on drive reliability https://www.backblaze.com/blog/hard-...s-for-q1-2018/

09-04-2018, 05:07 PM	#11
Wingman1977 Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Mar 2008 Location:The empire state Trading Score:23	I would only buy refurbished directly from the manufacturer. With that said, I'm uncomfortable buying refurbished HDD's.

09-04-2018, 05:59 PM	#12
RockyIII Blu-ray Baron Member since:Feb 2016 Location:Miami, Fl Trading Score:25	I use WD 4TB drives only. Up to now I've only purchased brand new from Best Buy but the refurbished ones on Ebay for $80 got my attention. It would be nice to save a few bucks.

09-14-2018, 11:38 AM	#16
Tedd Member Member since:Mar 2010	If you buy from Best Buy, have you considered shucking their 8 Tb Easystore drives? They vary on sale from $150 to $170. You end up with a white or red WD drive. Their 4TB Easystore drives are usually on sale for $90, so shipping might be eating up some of your $10 savings.

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