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J.R.'s Dirt Cheap PC and Killer Deals PageREFERENCESponser this pageThis page last updated on or about 3-31-06a - j m o o n e y h a m . c o m - o r i g i n a l |
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Keep in mind folks that things can change quickly in this realm, and I can't guarantee this page can keep up with them. Remember that my opinions below are based on everything I'm aware of at time of writing-- that's all. This page also assumes you have access to USA vendors and shipping channels, and is written from the perspective of a US citizen.
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CLICK HERE for an ounce of PC trouble prevention |
CLICK HERE for reviews and user logs for certain old/used/refurbished PCs and related wares |
Sources for old/used/refurbished PCs |
Online auctions |
How come I'd recommend auctions more for PC sellers than PC buyers? Because every time I've personally checked out auctions of new or used PC wares, it seemed I could beat the deals I found there at non-auction vendors, such as listed on this page. Auctions in general appeared to be seller's markets. That is, the prices there were often on the high end of a given PC model and specification's market value, thereby making it better for sellers than for buyers. That being said, apparently lots of folks like buying PCs at auction, so I might be missing something. And I do have to admit that if you're looking for a particularly rare sort of PC system, or some component thereof (as some folks who email me are), you may have a better chance at finding it in an online auction than at a regular new or used PC vendor. So in those cases buyers too might derive benefits. In fact, NASA was perusing online auctions in search of replacement parts for space shuttle computers in 2002(!)
| -- NASA looking for old parts to keep space shuttles aloft By William J. Broad; New York Times; May. 11, 2002 |
EBay is the biggest and most popular online auction service in the world, circa early 2003.
| Could you use some old and/or cheap software to go with that used PC? Then try Software Clearance Outlet. Want more choices? Then try Pricelessware: the best in Windows Freeware
Netscape browsers for older computers can be downloaded from Netscape Browser Archived Products. Unmaintained Free Software -- Index may offer decent software that'll work well on older hardware which has been converted to Linux or similar wares. Also keep mind that you may find old software available at some of the used PC vendors listed as well (if not all). |
Charities |
On a related note, maybe you have a bunch of used Macs and/or PCs that you'd like to put to use somewhere, but aren't sure how? Check out ZDNet's What to Do With Your Old PC, PCWorld's What Should You Do With Your Old Computer, and What to Do With That Old, Slow PC for that. Or maybe you're already positive you can't use the machines yourself, and would like to donate them to charity (and maybe get a tax deduction too)? Or you work at a school or other non-profit organization that could use some low cost (or maybe even free) machines? There's charity groups you can contact in either case, I believe. Check out the list below:
Computers 4 Kids, 860-635-5460, fax 860-635-4920, and email C4K@connix.com
The Detwiler Foundation: Computers for Schools, 619-456-9045, fax 619-456-9918, and email diana@detwiler.org
Share The Technology Computer Recycling Project, also known as a National Computer Donation Database
The National Cristina Foundation, 800-CRISTINA and fax 203-622-6270
More options include IBM's PC Recycling Service, which for about $30 per machine will make sure old PC systems and parts are either recycled materials-wise or turned over to non-profit organizations of some sort. Machines still of practical use and value will get you a receipt you can use for tax deduction purposes. Call 1-888-746-7426 or visit IBM's Web site.
The Green Design Initiative resource list offers information for the safe, healthy, and practical disposal of unwanted electronic equipment.
The Computers for Schools Association also welcomes old PC contributions.
| -- After Holiday Gifts, What to Do With the Old Technology? by Anne B. McDonald, PCWorld.com, December 27, 2000 |
Sources for NEW PCs |
So what's the true TOP BRAND NAMES in PCs today? Sony, Dell, Hewlett Packard, Compaq, and Gateway come to mind. |
Sources for New NCs/NetPCs (devices which are heavily or wholly net-dependent or TV-dependent, such as Network Computers and set top boxes) |
Note that old television, new digital TV, and the internet will likely all merge over the next several years. This may or may not be good. I wonder how it'll affect the PC market?
Some users may need to configure their WebTVs or similar boxes to use an internet service provider other than Microsoft or WebTV HQ itself. I believe this info is available online to WebTV users with currently active accounts. But if your account isn't active, or you can't get local access to set up an account through which to get this info, you may be hurting, and so need another avenue of info. How to Set up WebTV to use Glinx is specific to a particular ISP, but may still offer some general tips about the configuration process applicable to other providers.
| -- Microsoft tunes in low-cost Net TV By Margaret Kane; CNET News.com June 4, 2002; http://news.com.com/2100-1040-931669.html |
Looking for used Macs rather than used PCs? Then check out my Old/Used/Refurbished Mac Sources Page. |
Want to install Linux yourself on a PC? |
Want low cost and/or hybrid OS/PCs/NCs? |
CLICK HERE for the best deals in TV content, internet access, and telephone service |
Looking for the best battery deals, or sources for hard-to-find battery types? |
What should your general purpose battery policy be for maximum practicality and cost-effectiveness? Rechargeables wherever feasible. Nickel-metal hydrides (NiMH). Fast 1-2 hour rechargers, preferably of the type which works both in the home and car. Some disposable alkalines in long term storage for emergencies. Note that NiMH batteries lose charge even when not in use, and should be deep discharged at times to optimize power storage capacities.
| -- Power trip: How to make the most of your batteries by David Coursey, AnchorDesk; January 23, 2002; ZDNet/CNET |
Nickel cadmiums (NiCad) are the second choice for many rechargeables. Though they are more toxic in the environment, hold less power and suffer more from 'memory effect' than NiMH (memory effect can reduce useful life and requires more maintenance effort from users for optimal usage), they may be usefully recharged many more times than NiMH.
General purpose rechargeable battery sources:
General purpose battery sources:
batteries.com
batteriesplus.com
houseofbatteries.com
Emergency battery sources:
Specialized battery sources:
batterystation.com
resource800.com
macbattery.com
Your neighborhood RadioShack
More info on batteries
Battery capacity improvements may run as high as 10-15% a year circa 1999. The average US household possesses about 18 battery-powered devices in 1999.
Rechargeable alkalines can be recharged up to 20 times, but their real power capacities decline sharply over that time.
Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) batteries outdo the other types of batteries listed here in many areas, but tend to be more expensive. They are also more complex, requiring special circuitry to prevent them from going into meltdown (or maybe even starting fires? I mainly mention this because I seem to recall some Apple and Sony laptop PCs having excessive heat problems with Li-Ion batteries a few years back).
| -- Battery-makers scrambling to sate growing hunger for juice Henry Norr; October 11, 1999; San Francisco Chronicle Page E1; URL: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/1999/10/11/BU82885.DTL&type=tech_article |
CLICK HERE if you want to build your own computer |
CLICK HERE for Miscellaneous other links possibly helpful to building, configuring, upgrading, using, troubleshooting PC wares |
CLICK HERE for miscellaneous unorganized links which may be relevant to the topics listed on this page |
If you'd like to see more about the sorts of computing and online deals coming your way in the future (as well as other matters), consult my Signposts timeline.
