Posted on 03/13/2013 2:21:06 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
our pc finally kicked the bucket need advice on cheap or free computers.... had just started working from home and this threw a giant monkey wrench in that.
They have a 1 yr. warranty to boot.
Decent older machines with XP for $100-150 or less depending on what you need.
I have been using one I bought for $125 for at least 4 years. Works great for basic internet stuff but I don't play games much. I did upgrade to a bigger hard drive and better graphics card as I could, but it wasn't really needed. Pricewatch.com is also good for me.
Also watch geeks.com specials.
Edited to add: I meant the refurbished computers on Overstock. Heck, check out refurbished from anywhere, sometimes you can get really good warranties with them, too.
Can you furtner describe “kicked the bucket” please?
Most PC’s fail due to a bad hard-drive, or get cripple from a virus. A new hard-drive is less than $100 for 1TB of storage (more than most normal humans need). Flat-screens can be found for under $100 too, if it’s just the monitor or screen that’s out. The other bits, being solid-state, rarely fail unless subjected to excessive heat or a lighting strike.
As far as software goes, the Ubuntu distro of Linux is completely free, as are the Firefox and Chrome browsers. OpenOffice is a good replacement for Microsoft office, so you can pretty much load it up and run what you’d need for very little money.
http://www.microcenter.com/
Goodwill refurbishes donated computers. My daughter bought three, they are working well for them.
Dell has an outlet where scratch and dent, and cancelled orders are sold. That’s the route we take. Big savings.
You might check local and online stores for ‘refurbs’. Many of them are refurbed by the manufacturer.
Depending on what you need, you may find some inexpensive used ones at pawn shops and used computer stores.
If you don’t need, for example, Win7, you can probably find some inexpensive XP computers. Of course, internet connection/speed would suffer.
Tigerdirect.com, newegg.com, techforless.com have used and refurbs.
Check local resale stores like Goodwill, etc.
There’s one in this list for $109 that’s running XP. Also several Win 7 machines. I’ve used some of these refurbs and can tell you they are excellent. The refurbing company does an EXCELLENT job. You can use your existing monitor.
I strongly recommend that you look closely at what you want to do rather than on what type of machine or what add-ons are available.
A lot of people have replied with questions and suggestions.
A reply to those who want to help would be appreciated, and soon.
Just starting to work from home? Do not go “cheap” or used. Spend the money to get a realiable new computer. You should be able to do that for 4-500 bucks. If your work/income depends on it, do not fudge now.
Depends upon your needs.... Many computer repair stores have 2nd hand equipment they’ve repaired or taken in on trade.
Well... Chromebooks are great if you are working almost exclusively on the cloud or through Web Apps like Google Mail and Google Drive. And there’s a bunch of stuff available
https://chrome.google.com/webstore
But if you are used to a particular app on your laptop that can’t be used on the web, like for Windows, you’ll need to get a machine that knows that OS.
Call up Rush on his radio show and sound intelligent. Maybe he’ll give you a free Apple Computer. He hands them out like candy to worthy callers. Worth a try.
That might be hard to do if his computer is dead and he has to borrow computer time or go to the library. Patience! I know him and he is a grateful, honest soul.
Where do you live? Just an idea no address. Someone in you area might have one, Just trying to help
He does not have that kind of money. If I had it I would give it to him as he is a good man!!!
You could always consider coming over to the dark side and try a Mac...
Check out the Mac Mini line — just connect to your monitor, mouse, and keyboard, and you’re ready to go...
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