Are HP refurbished laptops worth the savings? [ Edited ]

[GettingNathan]

1. HP Pavilion Dv5-2043cl

2. Windows Home Premium 64-bit

3. Computer does not wake from sleep. Motherboard replacement offered by customer support.

4. Problem discovered first day. Created recovery discs and installed Microsoft Office.

I bought a refurbished HP from HP eBay Store but it needs to be replaced/repaired. I was offered the repair, but I'm hesitant because my expectations were not met and definitely lowered.  I wonder if the repair will be satisfactory.

I've had good experience with refurbished products from manufacturers, so this situation is quite surprising.  I read the "About HP Refurbished Products" and the related "FAQS," and my computer doesn't seem to fit those descriptions.

Should I repair, return, or try to exchange for an upgrade?  If the hardware is still relevant should model year matter?

[GettingNathan]

I got caught up in the ease of purchasing online and was looking for a personal response.  The customer service representative offered a repair over the phone and, if they had access to refurbished inventory, probably would have offered the available unit.  I wanted to hear someone from HP stand behind this transaction.  I was worried that I couldn't get a replacement unit, but there is one available and it was being held for me.  I will exchange for the same model. 

So far, think that buying HP refurbished notebooks worth the savings.  The notebook was in pristine condition, but just had an internal problem.

[Mumbodog]

I have only bought one refurb computer (ibm thinkpad), but was not from Lenovo but a third party refurb company. It was an off-lease unit so I know it was in service before it was refurbed, and was not some broken laptop they fixed to sell. Refurb does not really say what was done to the laptop, it could have just been cleaned and tested, or it could have had serious problems that were fixed.

That is the problem with refured electronics, no way to know the history of it.

I have also bought some "used" notebooks, its easier to do google searches for models that have been out for a year or two, you can determine if it was a good model or not, it still has risks though.

I research as best I can before I buy expensive electronics, I never buy the newest model either, I don't like being a beta tester at my own expense.