Unless I'm saving a real boatload of cash I would never buy a refurb.
Dan you need to realize that Dell's "refurbs" sometimes mean that someone customized it and it shipped but he never opened it, or he returned it within 30 days, or the box has a scratch or dent...not all refurbs are created equal and Dell is straight up about why it is called a refurb and sometimes you can get a really good deal.