How many people enjoy collecting/working on obsolete computers?
114352
I personally have five of them. I happen to fix systems for free especially of people I know and I do enjoy doing it. At present building one with an AMD 3800+ processor  with the latest features thrown in for a change. I also fix up old systems and donate it to friends who need them.
132244
You're going to have to look this up in your book or something, computers have thousands of uses, from simple email to playing movies to sorting files, etc. etc.
784255
Simply -- Ask.\n\nI know you just did, but I mean ask people around you. Schools and Businesses often upgrade PC's and sometimes have a closet full of 'junk' ones that have no value to them but may be perfect for you.  If you are in school or work somewhere that uses computers ask the computer teacher or IT person. If you don't, then see if someone you know can ask the IT person at thier job for you.\n\nI work in IT and I got 7 last week, without even asking.  They asked me to please dispose of them. I did by bringing  them home.
987008
I also keep these old machines around, I have used resources from the following links -\nhttp://www.mac512.com/\nhttp://www.old-computers.com/store/goodies/default.asp\nhttp://www.lowendmac.com/compact/512ke.shtml\nhttp://www.macworld.com/
71858
Ask your parents, friends, significant other, lover, church group for a new computer.
632056
Pros:\nYou get the latest hardware and software.\nYou get  warranty.\nYou do not need to worry about compatibility issues with other hardware that you might wish to purchase.\n\nCons:\nIt's going to get outdated in 6 months anyway.\nIt may be a whole lot of money wasted if you need only basic functionality.\nIf an old computer is working, but out of warranty it probably won't go bad in the near future.\n\nThe verdict: If you are looking to play the latest game, do the most fashionable thing with a computer that others are doing today go ahead and buy the latest and the best model.\n\nIf your needs are more basic, if you want to do some serious work on the machine save money by investing in a cheaper, older model that works.
989513
I'm a 46 yo college student and have a HP pavilion zv 6000, I love it! It handles al my college chores, plus I play a ton of games on it. The graphics are great!
635632
2-5 years usually is the life span\n\ndepreciation value upon salvage is almost nothing. 866 processors were going for during their hey day at $350. That very same processor can be bought for $7 on ebay. That's 2%. Graphics cards are even worse. Often it's merely the price of the metals and materials for scrap. Memory tend to be a bit better averaging many $15-30 from $100. Cases are worth whatever market scrap is. A computer is hardly a investment if that is what you are looking for.\n\nLaptops are a bit better. $2000 laptops are going for $350 on ebay. That's a 17.5% salvage. \n\nBetween 6-18 months of purchase all computers are obsolete. Some are even obsolete the day of purchase.
831423
A PC obsessed society
790625
Itd be difficult for me to give up my music (and music players) because its a big part of my life.. It'd be hard for me to give up the computer because it is a big part of my entertainment.  I do think our possessions (or lack there of) control what we do. People are constantly trying to get bigger and better everything, dropping hundreds, sometimes even thousands of dollars on something they dont need, but "have to have" because its the best on the market. Maybe if we did away with some of that material stuff, Everyone would eventually adjust and be better off for it..no more trying to keep up with the jones's
971841
call your local waste authority to see where you can take idems like that.  There are usually several businesses around that will take older hardware and make it new for other people in need to use.  It was very nice to think about something like that. :D
248062
I am taking PC Maintenance. Almost done with the first semister. It's fine. Let me know if you need anything.\n\nThanks
137686
Computers and family members.
126225
Yup! only the Geek Squad can now UnGeek your computer! have fun!
1101352
Yes because I used to like typing in basic (Beginners All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) into the computer from the magazines that used to have them and then get the programs running, plus I tried writing simple question and answer type programs.  I first learned it on my Commodore Vic-20 with 5K of Ram and two 3 and 1/2 inch Floppy drives with 720 K diskettes and a place to plug in cartridges to play games and no hard drive.\n\nI thought the old computers were fun for me and I learned about computers that way and the inner workings of them and how to fix computer problems through Trial and Error Method.
111136
See if your town has a 'Thrifty Nickel' kind of free newspaper.  They usually have listings for used computers and accessories.  I bought an older IBM computer with Win98 and a decent monitor for $90 from a man who bought a bunch of computers from a local college.  If you can live without XP, you might do better.  You can still access the Internet and do word processing on older operating systems.\n\nIf you want to buy new, try a place like Office Depot for EMachines desktop PCs.  They've been offering some really good rebates lately.  When we get our rebates back, our new computer with XP, monitor and Canon printer will only cost $300.
201146
No, you can always use parts. Myself I use parts off old computers all the time. Just today I took the cmos battery out of an old computer for my laptop. Also If its not really old you can try and sell it instead of junking it.