From: STeve Andre' (andres_at_msu.edu)
Date: Fri Sep 07 2001 - 17:48:00 EDT
Several folks have given good places to look for stuff, better
than I could have, I'm sure.
Just a thought from the other direction: if you buy an outdated
system now, what are the chances that you'll have outgrown
it in fairly short order, such that you're looking for a new machine
all over again?
I readily understand simply not having enough money for
anything else--if that is the case then a cheap system is far
better than none at all. But for others who might be able to
afford a little more if they saved more pennies, I think I
should point out that today's modern software is a complete
and absolute PIG in terms of resources. Win 95 can run
albeit sluggishly on a 486 DX/66 with 32M ram. Windows
2000 runs, albeit sluggishly with a PII at 300Mhz with 64M
ram. Windows XP runs in 128M on a 500Mhz machine,
though--guess what--sluggishly.
If you run alternate Open Source op systems then your
chances are considerably better, but sadly the vast majority
do not know of anything other than MicroSoft.
So, bear in mind that these slower systems, while cheap,
might drive you mad with their ability to do real work. Before
actually buying an older system I would very much advise
finding someone with that kind of system, and see what the
system feels like.
I have two friends, both starving student types who, against
recommendations bought cheap systems and both regret
it now. Both are now looking to sell their cheap machines for
even less than they bought them for, to add to other monies
to get something more modern.
I think the moral here is that if you run mainstream op systems
and applications, waiting 'till you have a little more money to spend
on a system is a good idea.
--STeve Andre'
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "sid soni" <siddsoni_at_hotmail.com>
>To: <thinkpad_at_cs.utk.edu>
>Sent: Friday, September 07, 2001 3:27 PM
>Subject: Wanted: Vendor who sells new PC that is 2 years behind today's
>specs....
>
>
> > Prices havent really dropped as much as they could have, b/c big time
> > retailers like DELL simply are giving you more harsepower for approx the
> > same amount.
> >
> > Hardware prices have dropped, let's say, 80%. But DELL isnt selling PC's
> > for 80% off. They are just giving you P4,1Ghz, 60GB, 256MB for the same
> > $1100.
> >
> > However, most people still can suffice with, say, a PII350, 6GB,
> > 128MB.....In relation, something like this probably should sell for a few
> > hundred bucks, considering its around 2 years behind the current
>production
> > schedule..
> >
> > Where can one find new PC's and laptop that are severla generations
>behind?
> > Surely, SOMEONE would find it profitable to sell these at a deep
>discount,
> > if they can buy this "outmoded" hardware themselves as surplus for
>pennies
> > on the dollar.
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
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