Purchasing a computer can be a difficult process, with hundreds of different options and features to sort through and select from. And, of course, there’s the option of cutting one’s costs by going with a used computer instead of a new machine.

However, some local experts said there are many disadvantages to buying a previously owned computer.

Tom Norris, salesperson at Beacon Microcenter, 213 Lincoln Way, said it is important to understand the difference between getting a used computer or a new one.

“Sometimes, people come in and say they don’t know much about computers, and then they want to know how much a used one costs,” he said. “It’s more complicated than that.”

Mark Lee, manager of American Computer, 114 Welch Ave., said a used personal computer can cost anywhere from $75 to $700, cheaper than most new computers. However, the financial benefits can often bring other headaches.

“Buying a used computer has so many cons compared to buying new,” he said. “A used computer could have any number of things wrong with it.”

Lee said the hardware of a used computer could have been subjected to a wide range of problems during its previous ownership, such as a dirty or corroded hard drive.

“There’s just a better chance that something in it will fail,” he said.

A new computer can cost anywhere from $800 — for what he called a “low-end” model — to $6,000 or more for the newest models with all the featured options, said Lee.

“You’re paying more money, but you’re getting more for your money,” he explained. “You’re getting all-new, reliable components, and the higher-end computers will be able to run almost any software that’s out there.”

Norris said the main benefit of buying a new computer is getting the latest technology.

“You can buy any software and the computer will run pretty well,” he said.

Lee said another benefit of new computers is their availability.

“New computers are always available,” he said. “You can pick and choose components and features. But with used computers, you just have to settle for whatever is available, and sometimes that’s not much.”

Another factor to consider when choosing a computer is the service warranty.

American Computer offers warranties of one to three years on the new computers they sell, but the warranties on used computers are only valid for 30 days, said Lee.

Norris said he didn’t think any computer store would offer a warranty for a used model that would last as long as one for a new machine.

“I can’t imagine that anyone will get more than 90 days on a warranty for a used computer,” he said.

One thing new and used computers have in common is that they will both eventually be obsolete, Lee said, but while a higher-end new model won’t begin to be outdated until two to three years after it is built, a used computer already may be unable to operate some of today’s software when it is purchased.

For Jennifer Spalla, ISU alumna with a degree in computer science, going with a new model instead of used was the better option.

“I feel like a new computer is more dependable than a used one,” she said.

Frank Riley, another ISU alumnus with a computer science degree, said when he bought his new computer, he didn’t know there was a market for used models.

“If I had known that I could have gotten a used computer for less money, I might have compared new and used and then made a decision,” he said.

But both Norris and Lee said there are some reasons to buy used computers instead of new, although they are few.

“If I were looking at a used computer that’s only nine months old, then I’d put money down for something like that in a heartbeat,” Norris said. “But if it’s any older, you’re going to run the risk of not being able to run some of the newest programs on it.”

Lee said it might be worth it to buy a used computer if the user only wants it to do simple things such as word processing.

“Maybe if somebody doesn’t need all the bells and whistles, it might be worth it to go used,” he said.