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Refurb.io

Chromebooks starting $89 + FREE Shipping

Last Updated:
Jul 27th, 2021 11:42 am

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Jul 7th, 2021 4:23 pm

SocialAvoid [OP]: Newbie; Mar 21, 2020; 41 posts; 81 upvotes

Jul 7th, 2021 4:23 pm

Chromebooks starting $89 + FREE Shipping

Deal Link:: https://ca.refurb.io/collections/chromebooks
Price:: $89+
Retailer:: Refurb.io

Not a big fan of Chromebooks and believe most of these have had their Auto Update Expiration (AUE) already hit but their disclaimer says will still function just no additional updates. Anyways, they are cheap. Looks like the Free Shipping is just to Provinces, Territories are extra.

They also got a banner up for savings on Acer TravelMates that have webcams. Price probably ok but can't judge... what do others think? https://ca.refurb.io/collections/travelmate

122 replies

Jul 7th, 2021 4:38 pm

Kazushi: Deal Addict; Feb 12, 2006; 1423 posts; 2395 upvotes

Jul 7th, 2021 4:38 pm

Terrible. As someone who has been with 2 companies now that have tried to roll these out to users- it just doesn't have a place.

Low end users (elderly, old schoolers) won't get used to ChromeOS/Cloud services
solution: buy them a snappy tablet
Mid end users (younger) can get used to ChromeOS/Cloud services, but then complain it sucks power wise etc
solution: standard 8GB/i5 laptop
High end users won't even look at it
solution: higher end DTR laptop or desktop.

That said, decent deal for anyone who wants to experience Chromebooks. As such, upvote from me for the deal.

+56

Jul 7th, 2021 4:48 pm

darkz: Deal Addict; May 2, 2005; 1246 posts; 380 upvotes; North York

Jul 7th, 2021 4:48 pm

Use case always varies, but we have a few C720 Chromebooks which are long passed their Auto Update time floating around at home that work perfectly as, well, Chrome machines.
They're great for when you need to search something and can use the screen real estate & mouse/keyboard. They've also worked great for Google Meet during the pandemic.

Got them for super cheap and found we used them quite often during the week.

+9

Jul 7th, 2021 4:48 pm

User131439: Sr. Member; Apr 18, 2017; 807 posts; 1669 upvotes

Jul 7th, 2021 4:48 pm

Kazushi wrote: ↑Terrible. As someone who has been with 2 companies now that have tried to roll these out to users- it just doesn't have a place.

Low end users (elderly, old schoolers) won't get used to ChromeOS/Cloud services
solution: buy them a snappy tablet
Mid end users (younger) can get used to ChromeOS/Cloud services, but then complain it sucks power wise etc
solution: standard 8GB/i5 laptop
High end users won't even look at it
solution: higher end DTR laptop or desktop.

That said, decent deal for anyone who wants to experience Chromebooks. As such, upvote from me for the deal.

I disagree. As a secondary device - it's perfect. Any i5 model (heck, i3 for that matter) is snappy for what it is. I think the larger issue is that most people try some of these really old models and say it's slow. I have a N4200 model and it's quick with browsing/Netflix/Plex/etc.

If you can use Chrome, you can use a Chromebook. That may also be the reason it's one of (if not) the largest growing OS.

Then, throw in a proper ARM chip in the next little while - I only see it growing.

These Refurb.io offers are no good though and will contribute to this idea that Chromebooks are slow. They are eol - it's like buying an Intel MacBook for a slight discount when the M1 is out now.

+24

Jul 7th, 2021 4:51 pm

Kazushi: Deal Addict; Feb 12, 2006; 1423 posts; 2395 upvotes

Jul 7th, 2021 4:51 pm

User131439 wrote: ↑ I disagree. As a secondary device - it's perfect. Any i5 model (heck, i3 for that matter) is snappy for what it is. I think the larger issue is that most people try some of these really old models and say it's slow. I have a N4200 model and it's quick with browsing/Netflix/Plex/etc.

If you can use Chrome, you can use a Chromebook. That may also be the reason it's one of (if not) the largest growing OS.

Then, throw in a proper ARM chip in the next little while - I only see it growing.

These Refurb.io offers are no good though and will contribute to this idea that Chromebooks are slow. They are eol - it's like buying an Intel MacBook for a slight discount when the M1 is out now.

I agree with you, I was speaking specifically to these older models. It's sad, but working in IT, our budgets are constantly under scrutiny when companies are making less due to covid etc. This was an option they asked us to explore and came back overwhelmingly negative.

+3

Jul 7th, 2021 4:51 pm

pkphilip: Deal Addict; Jan 23, 2004; 3705 posts; 3354 upvotes; GVRD

Jul 7th, 2021 4:51 pm

If you have a spare computer to play with, installing Cloud Ready will you a taste of Chromebook since it's not an OS for everyone.

+5

Jul 7th, 2021 4:52 pm

cfrank73: Sr. Member; Oct 2, 2011; 605 posts; 592 upvotes; London

Jul 7th, 2021 4:52 pm

I've got a mess of laptops, from a 6 year old chromebook, to a Gen 7 X1 Carbon. I grab one of the chromebooks, more often than not for just putzing around.

If I'm *working* sure, I'll gravitate towards a traditional Windows 10 laptop, but, for a laptop to surf the internets, watch Netflix/Plex? Chromebook is light, good battery life, etc.

To each their own.... I gave away 4 or 5 when the kids went to online learning to friends and family and even the 9 year old, original Google test mule still functions (but no updates).

I love 'em! (But don't need more)

+5

Jul 7th, 2021 4:53 pm

mr_yellow: Deal Addict; Nov 25, 2002; 2631 posts; 1236 upvotes

Jul 7th, 2021 4:53 pm

What about for a K-8 student? The dell chromebook the school lent us was slow as balls... are any of these more performant and worth the time/cost?

My current solution is an iPad with the A12 chip + a BT keyboard and mouse and i feel like it's overkill.

Jul 7th, 2021 4:57 pm

Kazushi: Deal Addict; Feb 12, 2006; 1423 posts; 2395 upvotes

Jul 7th, 2021 4:57 pm

cfrank73 wrote: ↑ I've got a mess of laptops, from a 6 year old chromebook, to a Gen 7 X1 Carbon. I grab one of the chromebooks, more often than not for just putzing around.

If I'm *working* sure, I'll gravitate towards a traditional Windows 10 laptop, but, for a laptop to surf the internets, watch Netflix/Plex? Chromebook is light, good battery life, etc.

To each their own.... I gave away 4 or 5 when the kids went to online learning to friends and family and even the 9 year old, original Google test mule still functions (but no updates).

I love 'em! (But don't need more)

I finally got rid of all my old machines sans for 2 Lenovo M93 tinys which are low-power HTPCs. i5 dual core, Intel HD4300 (good enough for 1080P60 streaming + minor tasks), my gaming desktop, and my T480s with 16GB of RAM. Other half was happy to recycle 300lbs of laptops

it was tough to say goodbye to some old machines I had during college days.

+3

Jul 7th, 2021 4:58 pm

Angultra: Deal Guru; Mar 1, 2002; 12630 posts; 11068 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 7th, 2021 4:58 pm

Intel atom, exynos models, these were already slow when they came out in 2013. Old Celerons pretty bad too, except for the one N3150.

Edit: So many CPUs so I listed all passmark scores below.

Passmark scores:

N570: 335
Celeron-847: 460
Celeron-867: 562
1007U: 800
2955U: 793
3205U: 946
Exynos 5250: ? (probably low)
N2830: 548
N2840: 583
N3050: 581
N3060: 669
N3150: 1192
N3205: 946
N3350: 1153
N4000: 1422
Tegra K1: ? (like snapdragon 805)

Last edited by Angultra on Jul 8th, 2021 5:40 am, edited 7 times in total.

+10

Jul 7th, 2021 5:11 pm

theflyingsquirrel: Deal Fanatic; Jun 6, 2010; 9456 posts; 5397 upvotes; Toronto, Ontario

Jul 7th, 2021 5:11 pm

8 think low end Chromebook is bad for Google meet.
I used one before and it is lagging badly when the class is 14 ppl or so.

If I buy something that is not in deep discounted, my father will punish me; everyone will laugh at me. I will be the strange kid who doesn't fit in.
Guide to get free movie BOGO code from Virgin Mobile

Jul 7th, 2021 5:23 pm

psyko514: Deal Fanatic; May 9, 2009; 6997 posts; 3460 upvotes; Montreal

Jul 7th, 2021 5:23 pm

mr_yellow wrote: ↑ What about for a K-8 student? The dell chromebook the school lent us was slow as balls... are any of these more performant and worth the time/cost?

Hard to say without knowing what model the school loaned out, but many of these models are 7-8 years old so probably not.

Jul 7th, 2021 5:31 pm

redflagdealsguy: Deal Expert; Feb 24, 2018; 26160 posts; 35296 upvotes

Jul 7th, 2021 5:31 pm

Most of these are hot garbage, you need a PassMark of 1500 for comfortable solid usability, even on a Chromebook.

Most of these laptops fall short on CPU, they also fall short on RAM, as Chromebooks need 4GB of RAM for a robust reliable experience.

I'm very forgiving on Chromebooks and even I'm skeptical about these machines.

I aim to be inclusive and considerate of others in my posts. If I fall short of that mark, feel free to let me know in good faith, and where appropriate, I'll edit my posts. Thank you.

+2

Jul 7th, 2021 5:31 pm

pongster: Deal Addict; Mar 16, 2008; 3828 posts; 3951 upvotes

Jul 7th, 2021 5:31 pm

This one is worthwhile ...bought one when 7 left .... $129

https://ca.refurb.io/collections/chrome ... efurbished

touchscreen IPS, supports google play store, from 2016 ("just" 5 years) .....still around 250 at bestbuy

5 left now

+3

Jul 7th, 2021 5:33 pm

redflagdealsguy: Deal Expert; Feb 24, 2018; 26160 posts; 35296 upvotes

Jul 7th, 2021 5:33 pm

pongster wrote: ↑ This one is worthwhile ...bought one when 7 left .... $129

https://ca.refurb.io/collections/chrome ... efurbished

touchscreen IPS, supports google play store, from 2016 ("just" 5 years) .....still around 250 at bestbuy

5 left now

PassMark of 669 is pretty rough.

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cp ... Hz&id=2762

I aim to be inclusive and considerate of others in my posts. If I fall short of that mark, feel free to let me know in good faith, and where appropriate, I'll edit my posts. Thank you.

Jul 7th, 2021 5:34 pm

redflagdealsguy: Deal Expert; Feb 24, 2018; 26160 posts; 35296 upvotes

Jul 7th, 2021 5:34 pm

redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑ PassMark of 669 is pretty rough.

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cp ... Hz&id=2762

For context, the Ryzen 5500U has a PassMark score of 13,600+

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cp ... 0U&id=4141

Two different planets.

I aim to be inclusive and considerate of others in my posts. If I fall short of that mark, feel free to let me know in good faith, and where appropriate, I'll edit my posts. Thank you.

Jul 7th, 2021 5:38 pm

pongster: Deal Addict; Mar 16, 2008; 3828 posts; 3951 upvotes

Jul 7th, 2021 5:38 pm

redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑ PassMark of 669 is pretty rough.

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cp ... Hz&id=2762

You're doing a good job of making me feel regret .... LOL

+2

Jul 7th, 2021 5:41 pm

redflagdealsguy: Deal Expert; Feb 24, 2018; 26160 posts; 35296 upvotes

Jul 7th, 2021 5:41 pm

pongster wrote: ↑ You're doing a good job of making me feel regret .... LOL

In fairness, the CPU will feel 3x faster on a Chromebook than a Windows machine.

You're probably still okay for basic browsing and HD content, 720p and 1080p web content.

You were also smart to get the 4GB RAM model.

RFDGuy, lead in before the gut punch next time.

I aim to be inclusive and considerate of others in my posts. If I fall short of that mark, feel free to let me know in good faith, and where appropriate, I'll edit my posts. Thank you.

+3

Jul 7th, 2021 5:43 pm

stephroll: Deal Guru; Jan 10, 2008; 14995 posts; 34051 upvotes

Jul 7th, 2021 5:43 pm

pongster wrote: ↑ This one is worthwhile ...bought one when 7 left .... $129

https://ca.refurb.io/collections/chrome ... efurbished

touchscreen IPS, supports google play store, from 2016 ("just" 5 years) .....still around 250 at bestbuy

5 left now

It says full HD IPS but then 1366 x 768 ?

Jul 7th, 2021 5:44 pm

pongster: Deal Addict; Mar 16, 2008; 3828 posts; 3951 upvotes

Jul 7th, 2021 5:44 pm

stephroll wrote: ↑ It says full HD IPS but then 1366 x 768 ?

it's definitely not full HD

I sold an acer c720P last year .....now I am "rebuying" a Chromebook .....this one has playstore support which is important to me ...my old one didn't

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