Hi,
I have looked at second hand machines, and have bought them on occasion.
Here is my take on the second hand machine purchase:
You can get a 3 yr old machine privately for $100
You can get a ex lease machine (similar age) from
the broker for around $250.
But, if you go to the liks of pbtech or dragon, you can get a nice new
machine for $600 that is way faster than the second hand machine listed
above. Further, the new machine is way more reliable..
Given that you want to use the purchased computer for several years, what
is going to happen?
Well, you are highly likely (if you start with a second hand machine) to
have disk problems and fan problems. Do you really want to lose your data
(well, raise the probability of losing your digital photos) ???
Dragon have upgrade kits, where they supply the mobo, powersupply, ram,
cpu, case for $300. You just install your harddisk in this computer, and
an optical drive, and you are good to go.
My view is that the price&performance gap of a second hand computer from
the broker makes this option unattractive.
Either the new computer (or upgrade kit) from the likes of dragon, or the
second hand computer from a private sale are workable..
Remember, you can always take your handy dandy damn small linux disk with
you to the private sale and check the comupter
a)boots DSL - which means hardware compatibility is ok.
b)do a memtest on it (one of the DSL boot options)
c)If it can boot DSL, this indicates there is probably enough memory.
Oh, Remember the memtest option. this saves a lot of grief later on.
Always do a memtest on a box before blowing away windows and installing
linux. It is quite hard to take a box back to the broker and say:
A linux memory test shows this box has broken memory, and I have wiped
the windows off the harddrive, and I want my money back.
Derek.
-----Original Message-----
From: John Carter [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, 24 April 2009 9:18 a.m.
www.computerbroker.co.nz
I know Aidan said he didn't want to buy new - but some new systems from
www.pbtech.co.nz have a prices close to gruntier ex-lease boxes from
computerbroker when I just looked. I've always been impressed with the
prices from pbtech - they have two physical stores in Auckland - the
North Shore store was biggest computer parts store I've ever walked into
in NZ with best prices I've seen - if only I had more $$ :-( - and
will send the stuff anywhere in NZ.
-Regards, Bryce Stenberg.
--
Derek Smithies Ph.D.
IndraNet Technologies Ltd.
ph +64 3 365 6485
Web: http://www.indranet-technologies.com/
"The only thing IE should be used for is to download Fire Fox"
