Out with the Old, In with the New

clam1952 · Oct 21, 2021

The-Hive said:
I had a few old computers before my first pc, namely the Amstrad 6128 with 3" disks and a cassette drive

Amstrad CPC 464 with just the Cassette drive, before that a 48K Spectrum.

The-Hive · Oct 21, 2021

TraderGary said:
Now there's a collector's item! Do you still have it?

Sadly not, many years ago it went, must have been back in '83

Hazel123 · Oct 21, 2021

About the same time I had a Commodore 64 and cassette drive :). Wish I still had it! After that I didn’t own a computer until 2008 when I bought one of the first Eee PC 4gb 701’s with Win XP on. No space for anything else where I lived and it being portable. Still find it great to type on :)

Scott · Oct 21, 2021

BunnyJ said:
My first was purchased from an online company.,. Gateway 2000, moo cow boxes. LOL

Same here...a P590. Top of the line back then, haha

Gateway 2000 P5-90 P90 MHz 16MB 1.6GB Tower Computer

Shop The Gateway 2000 P5-90 P90 MHz 16MB 1.6GB Tower Computer , Quality Checked, Fast Shipping.

www.recycledgoods.com

badrobot · Nov 18, 2021

I never buy second hand computers. If I want to upgrade, it just means I want the latest or at least better than what I have but not necessarily an expensive one.

Bree · Nov 18, 2021

badrobot said:
I never buy second hand computers

I always buy second hand, it's how I can afford so many. The most recent addition was a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd at £500 ($675 US).

badrobot · Nov 18, 2021

Bree said:
I always buy second hand, it's how I can afford so many. The most recent addition was a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd at £500 ($675 US).

I just dont trust second hand. If it is being disposed of, I just can't help but think there is something wrong with it. I just don't look at the specs, I also look at the useful features.

Bree · Nov 18, 2021

badrobot said:
I just dont trust second hand. If it is being disposed of, I just can't help but think there is something wrong with it.

I use an online store run by a pawnbroker. The reasons for disposal, particularly for the nearly new machines, are more likely to be financial rather than technical. Anyway, they have a 14-day no-quibble returns policy.

badrobot · Nov 18, 2021

Bree said:
I use an online store run by a pawnbroker. The reasons for disposal, particularly for the nearly new machines, are more likely to be financial rather than technical. Anyway, they have a 14-day no-quibble returns policy.

I would buy a second hand component, but not an entire pc or a laptop.

ShamrockRig · Nov 18, 2021

Bree said:
I always buy second hand, it's how I can afford so many. The most recent addition was a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd at £500 ($675 US).

Do you need to buy so many due to them breaking or do you just have several pc's just because?
I can only use one PC at a time, it does all so i don't really need others.
My dad always had a saying and this isn't related to you're comment Bree,
Buy Shite buy twice

badrobot · Nov 18, 2021

If one needs to use multiple OS, it does't have to be 1 OS per PC. Just get one good pc and several SSDs for OS. But if multiple PCs are needed at the same time, that is another story.

Bree · Nov 18, 2021

Devlin1888 said:
Do you need to buy so many due to them breaking or do you just have several pc's just because?

Probably 'Just Because' I can :wink:

I have multiple laptops and each has its own purpose and use. That 10th gen i7 Dell now runs all my VMs (and with that much RAM, it can run them simultaneously). My System One below is my 'daily use' machine, not particularly powerful, but W11-compatible and plenty of storage for all my downloads, photos, etc. My System Two cost me £69 and is purely used as a test bed, currently running as an unsupported install of W11.

I also have a modest little 10" netbook that's my 'take anywhere' machine and goes on holiday with me.

badrobot · Nov 18, 2021

Bree said:
Probably 'Just Because' I can

I have multiple laptops and each has its own purpose and use. That 10th gen i7 Dell now runs all my VMs (and with that much RAM, it can run them simultaneously). My System One below is my 'daily use' machine, not particularly powerful, but W11-compatible and plenty of storage for all my downloads, photos, etc. My System Two cost me £69 an is purely used as a test bed, currently running as an unsupported install of W11.

I also have a modest little 10" netbook that's my 'take anywhere' machine and goes on holiday with me.

I keep 2 PCs at the most and one portable. One PC for daily use and one PC as test bed. When I upgrade my main PC, I give away my old test bed and keep the current main PC as the test bed. My test bed is now a 4790K build being not compatible with Win 11 but still runs 11 anyway.

glasskuter · Nov 24, 2021

BunnyJ said:
would never buy PC gear on Ebay either..

I've bought probably 80-100 used systems on ebay and only ONE was a dud and the seller stood behind it. Several years ago when I started, I found about 5 reputable sellers of off-lease systems and for the most part have bought most of them from those sellers. In those days, I could pick them up for almost nothing. I usually stuck with the business PCs like Optiplexes and Precisions for rebuilds and resells. These days it's hard to find reasonably priced ones. As far as computer parts, I've bought enough to fill the back of a truck. I don't think I've ever bought someone's personal computer on ebay, though.

unifex · Nov 24, 2021

When I build a new machine I sell old parts on eBay. I never sell old machines though since parts bring more money. Now, when I sell these parts there is absolutely nothing wrong with them, I just don't need them anymore since I got myself new ones. The money is not tremendous, but the alternative is to drive to the special disposal place (here in Germany it is illegal to throw electronics into the garbage) and the DHL machine is way closer :wink:

. I have also bought a few used parts on eBay, never had a problem.

jvickers · Nov 24, 2021

glasskuter said:
I've bought probably 80-100 used systems on ebay and only ONE was a dud and the seller stood behind it. Several years ago when I started, I found about 5 reputable sellers of off-lease systems and for the most part have bought most of them from those sellers. In those days, I could pick them up for almost nothing. I usually stuck with the business PCs like Optiplexes and Precisions for rebuilds and resells. These days it's hard to find reasonably priced ones. As far as computer parts, I've bought enough to fill the back of a truck. I don't think I've ever bought someone's personal computer on ebay, though.

I don't make a habit of buying off eBay, but I did get Samsung monitor the seller got for a present and didn't need. Go it for about $100 less than retail. It lasted me 13 years and is still going, though I did upgrade for a larger monitor when I had the chance.

The Pool Man · Nov 24, 2021

Hazel123 said:
I use eBay for selling computers :). You have to be 100% honest and accurate with descriptions and details and have photos to show condition but people appreciate that and you’re less likely to have someone complaining afterwards. I have 100% positive feedback on eBay so my stuff sells with people feeling confident.

Exactly

Hazel123 · Nov 24, 2021

glasskuter said:
I've bought probably 80-100 used systems on ebay and only ONE was a dud and the seller stood behind it. Several years ago when I started, I found about 5 reputable sellers of off-lease systems and for the most part have bought most of them from those sellers. In those days, I could pick them up for almost nothing. I usually stuck with the business PCs like Optiplexes and Precisions for rebuilds and resells. These days it's hard to find reasonably priced ones. As far as computer parts, I've bought enough to fill the back of a truck. I don't think I've ever bought someone's personal computer on ebay, though.

I've bought and sold loads of netbooks on ebay :) I used to buy them for £20, reinstall the software, and sell them for £40. Not a money earner but gave me a lot of satisfaction. Someone who wanted rid of a netbook and someone else who got a cheap computer for a kid that actually worked well. Ended up with a graveyard of computer bits from various netbooks. So I always had plenty of spare parts. I've given up on that for now as no time.

Buying something expensive is a bit different - but then you have to read carefully and use your gut feelings. Only buy from reliable sellers with good feedback and good, honest sounding descriptions. Any issues and ebay lets you send it back.

Hazel123 · Nov 24, 2021

Devlin1888 said:
Do you need to buy so many due to them breaking or do you just have several pc's just because?
I can only use one PC at a time, it does all so i don't really need others.
My dad always had a saying and this isn't related to you're comment Bree,
Buy Shite buy twice

We had a similar saying "buy cheap, buy twice". But it's not quite the same as buying a second hand top spec computer - which to me, is better than buying a cheap new computer.

As for why people are selling - listings with good descriptions help there. Yes there may be some dodgy people selling - but you can usually spot those (minimal information and not good feedback). Private sellers with good descriptions help you buy with confidence. If it's not as described you can send it back. Most people are selling because a) they've bought a new one and selling a 3 year old one to pay for it b) They were given a work laptop and don't use/need their own. c) They want something bigger, smaller, more powerful. Most people are just upgrading to something new. So you can get some really good deals for 3 year old laptops.

A core i7 HP Spectre X360 costs about £1500 new. A 3 year old one costs about £500. A 3 year old core i7 top spec computer is a better spend of £500 than a new budget laptop in my mind.

The hassle is in finding something good to buy - lots of searching.

glasskuter · Nov 24, 2021

@Hazel123 I buy them, go through them, and resell locally, but I've always used them for myself as well. It doesn't make me rich, but I get to do something I enjoy (messing with PCs) and usually double my money. I give the buyers 90 day warranty on hardware and have never had a single return. Win-win. There are 2 PCs on my desk all the time,. One mirrors the other as for as programs and apps. In the 30 years I've used computers,I had never had a new PC in my entire life until 5 months ago when I bought my first...and last...new one. They don't make 'em like they used to.