Idle question for all you oh-so-knowledgeable computer geeks

[kellinator]

What's the cheapest that one can get a decent computer?

The IT department here was selling off some old computers for ten bucks apiece, but of course they ran out before my turn in line came, dammit. The professors got their pick before the staff. I'm not in urgent need of a computer, but I would like to upgrade one of these days. What are the least expensive options out there?

Comments

[adamosity.livejournal.com]

If you wanted to drive to Jacksonville, I could get you a $25 computer, but it's probably no better than what you have (pentium 400ish, 96-128 meg ram, 14 inch monitor, 6-10 gig hd).

I may be selling a laptop pretty cheaply in the near future. Both of these were IT specials from my dad's company.

I'm actually getting one of the $25 ones to donate to an interfaith art museum project I consult on, but I can get more.

Honestly? I'd say get a low-end Dell for $500-700 and go from there. Old computers are a temporary solution that get worse each day.

--adam