Expert: Bobbert - 10/20/2008

Question
Dear Expert,
I do not have a lot of money but would like to purchase a used computer for my daughter who lives alone and needs a computer for homework-communication etc.
I have been looking at ads such as 'craigslist etc. but do not know what computers are worth buying-too old etc. etc.
I only need a basic system  a desk top type-(tower-monitor??)I cannot afford a laptop now. Can you give me some basic model types that are still useable and not old and obsolete? I am just a regular Mom asking this question and am very (Tech)challenged?? Do you think I am crazy hoping to find a used computer for about 250.00??

Answer
At $250, you should be able to find a decent used system, however in terms of "basic model types", thats going to be somewhat exhaustive to do (consider that in a given year, the "industry" as a whole probably releases a thousand different variations on a few hundred different brand marquees, all of which are roughly comparable in one way or another, and this is just for the narrow range of systems you're looking at).

I'm not really sure how to advise you in finding a decent used computer, as the range of what may be available is huge. I would suggest looking for something relatively new, to avoid any major incompatabilities with newer software, although this isn't to say you need to jump on the Windows Vista bandwagon, Windows XP (and depending on usage scenario, Windows 2000) will be more than enough for even the most advanced of users. Although, I would avoid anything carrying Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows ME, as this is likely a sign of the machine's age (nearly a decade old at this point), which will only lead to problems (you'll be replacing it very soon).

Looking at some generalities in hardware, I would suggest staying in at least the last generation or three of processors, meaning systems equipped with an Intel Pentium 4, Pentium D, Celeron D, Pentium E, or the newer Core 2 Duo/Quad, or AMD Athlon 64, Athlon 64X2, Athlon 64 FX, or newer Phenom X3 or X4. Building up from that, I would also suggest at MINIMUM, 1GB (or 1024MB) of RAM, and a preference towards 2GB (or 2048MB) of RAM.

Beyond that, its more or less open territory based on what you can find, especially on "open" classifieds/auction sites like Craigslist or eBay.

I would check out something like www.geeks.com, which regularly has factory refurbised/debranded units vastly under their original retail, and you're given at least a modicum of warranty support or customer service.

Some quick browsing on Geeks netted a few items that will leave some money left over for a monitor (we'll get to that bit in a moment):
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=D51S-SFF-7B&cat=SYS
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=D51C-3B&cat=SYS
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=DC7100U-1B&cat=SYS


And a few that are really stellar in this price segment, but would exceed your budget with a monitor:
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=MPRO-1B&cat=SYS
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=TS-0006A-P4-661-R&cat=SYS


Personally, I like the debranded HP, although it would need an operating system and monitor in addition to its $240 pricetag. The IBM system is equally attractive, and does include an operating system, although it does exceed $250 on its own.

As far as monitors go, a quick look at Geeks' current selection shows a number of refurbished products:
http://www.geeks.com/products.asp?cat=MON

This grabs my eye:
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=6307-BTN&cat=MON

As its claiming to be new-in-box, now, I won't say its the best quality part on the market, and honestly can't even attest experience with that given model, although CRTs do have a majority of advantages over LCDs, especially older LCDs (like the majority of the refurbished parts Geeks is showing), so that might be worth considering.

There are also a number of LCDs in that price range, which you shouldn't just write off, and depending on the system you select, a brand new monitor might be an option, something along the lines of this:
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=ET-ZX3WP-001-DT&cat=MON

Of course, the geeks.com route is just one idea, and I really don't mean to sound like a salesman (I just know that other vendors, such as Newegg, don't deal in refurbs and liquidation sales like Geeks does, which means that Geeks is a good option for getting a computer on the cheap).

If you noticed, almost none of the systems I suggested actually met the 1GB/2GB suggestion, memory can be easily and cheaply upgraded, you'll need to know if the system you've purchased has DDR or SDRAM, although I would bet the majority of systems you'll find will use DDR, which is good, as its faster (and more importantly, cheaper).

Consider something like this as an upgrade:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820141437

Of course, depending on the application load, 512MB of RAM may suffice, although I would still suggest an eventual upgrade to 1GB (which, depending on how the original 512MB is included, you could end up with 1.5GB quite easily, or at least upgrade to 1GB for less than the price of a 1GB kit).

I'd be happy to answer any further questions you have, good luck with finding a system that works for you.

-bob