Why is my E6400 replacement laptop built faster than its predesessor?

the question is how would you know if it was refurb though.

 

1- They will be most likelly scratches.
2- You will find some dust somewhere (heatsink for example).
3- I forgot about that one for sure, but I think the BIOS will ask you for the system tag.
4- Battery wear level will be at 0% (new battery)
5- System AC adapter and disks will be in close package, no scratch or dust will be found.

 

Also, I think Dell is suppossed to say Refurb on the box you get it in, and on the bottom of the notebook with a little red sticker.

 

Dell systems are all modular so when they "build you" a computer some factory worker in Malaysia is snapping in HDD's and CD Drives from a bin. When you order it makes sense to have a reasonable wait time for the cost savings (Americans building a computer can get expensive) what they have is probably some pre built units lying around waiting for order screw ups or warranty claims or more likely modular parts in the US where they have an American worker do final Assembly in about 15-20 minutes probably connected to super-high end assembly line. Its much more expensive to lose a returning customer and attract several new buyers so they don't reorder your machine from the central allotment in Malaysia, honestly if I was told by a company 20 days for a computer replacment I would return and dispute the charges and take my money over to a competitor same thing if they sent me refurb. Its called intelligent inventory managment, you might have a company like Bestbuy or in general any retailer try to pull the refurb nonsense but these machines cost Pennies to Dell so they usually don't mess around.

 

Actually they dont' cost pennies. Hardware is not very profitable as people believe. But yes, for sure they don't sell at cost.
I won't be surprised is normally the the cost of a system in a half is in part of the price (other than service, installation, and of course profit).

 

I am not so sure I understand per unit total resources could be high in cost i.e. R&D and licensing cost but the actual process of stamping out a machine cant be too much although Dells modular system could be more I don't know I have been involved with retail production management of "Luxury goods" such as electronics and Have been amazed by the cost of production.