Where'd you get your computer? Frugal?

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Were you able to be frugal in purchasing your computer? Or do you perhaps share a computer with others, or use only a computer belonging to your employer? Use the public computers at the library?

My desk top is a slap-together that my teen son made. He scavenges parts, buys pallets and boxfulls at auction and people are just always giving him what they are wishing to be rid of as they update. Every now and then he tells me that I really should add on this or that, or upgrade my such'n'so. I never think I need any change, but he will eventually just sneak in and do it.

My lap top was on sale, but not really a great sale, nor is it top of the line or anything. I got it in order to be able to do my work while on the road, traveling for pleasure. At that time my work was entirely online. That purchase was not frugal, but an uncharacteristic indugence which my spouse encouraged.

[markio26]

my first computer was a gateway custom made with all the works. i think i paid under $3000 with rebates... that was in 1999... prior to that, we shared a gateway... i sold my gateway last year to my unkie for $379, with all the software, printer, less scanner... i bought a hpq at wmt, for $400, less the rebates... runs great... paid for itself, already... my laptop in my bedroom, is a dell, xp windows, spouse bought off ebay for $400 bucks... i have printer setup in bedroom also, no scanner... i unplug everything in bedroom, until i use it.. clear up those electromagnetic fields around me... i sleep better...

[boefixepa]

Work...don't pay a thing and every few years I manage to get a new one...which is really a pain by the way. I hate reinstalling everything and getting it up and going again.

[nanamom]

The main computer in the house was one I had when I ran the school so it was free. Of course the down side to that is it's age. My SIL and DD sold us a very nice computer that we can't get to work so it sits on a shelf. My MIL gave us their computer because she has given them up. It will be an improvement on this one I think. the downside there is that it has been sitting on the garage floor for some time so I don't know what shape it is in. all in all we don't pay much for our electronic equipment at all. Maybe someday but for now DH uses a laptop at work so we don't really need a better machine. I'd rather spend the money on other stuff, like paying off the car!

[veronak]

My first and only computer was an HP purchased from Best Buy about 5 years ago and I have not upgraded as of yet and I love it. The only time that I have ever had any problems is when I upgraded to AOL 9.0 of course it created a ton of problems, such as spyware. The cost about $700.00 before rebates

[boomeyers]

My brother built my desktop. I did get a great deal on ebay for my daughters laptop, but you guessed it. I got what I paid for. Mother board fried within 3 months! Still trying to get it rebuilt. I replace any of my own parts, used, whenever something goes wrong. Computers are really basically easy to work on - don't be scared!

[lrjohnson]

My Guy is a total computer geek. Both our PCs and server are homemade. He games so needs a super sytem, so I get his next-to-top of the line hand me downs for a low cost, plus it helps him because when he buys new stuff, he gets that little money from me. A great arrangement for both of us.

[poundwise]

I always build my own (as well as systems for several other people.)

To be frank, you probably can't build a machine for less than the package deals offered by the big dealers, however, you can end up with a much better machine for just a little more.

Big areas of difference: Motherboard and components should be much better when you build your own, no built in sound, no built in video (unless wanted for some reason), no shared RAM, actual operating system discs (not recovery disc or recovery partition), etc.

[shengmei]

It was a graduation gift from my father.

[somerlyn]

I got my hard drive on clearance, monitor on sale with rebate(which I did send in, many forget to) and a hand me down keyboard and wireless mouse. It works great but I keep it pretty clean and follow a good schedule.

[PrincessPerky]

Dh built em, right now we are on a ban of all new parts, so we share a monitor, but we will prolly NEVER share a 'brain'. They were mostly 'good deals' except the casses, the cases are fancy, good deals, but even a good deal on a fancy case costs more than a cheap case, but it sure does look cool! (bought pre finance clamp down)

Dh is great with fixing/building computers but right now no laptop cause we need parts...

[lillyb]

First one was given to me, ex bf's company was upgrading and giving them away. Second one came with the new hubby, we had that for 5 years. We recently had to purchase the brains to work with the wireless dsl and our ole Win ME wasn't compatible (not a problem, always hated that ME!). Bought a dell with professional XP, wireless installed and ready to go for $460 (which include the tech setup and delivery). Lovin' it so far!

[Broken Arrow]

I think the best place to get them right now is to look online for clearance or refurbished machines. Dell and maybe TigerDirect are two good places to start. Either that, or you can try to camp out on the next Black Friday at your local Walmart and try to score a deal that way.

This is true for both pre-built or components if you plan on building your own computer.

I used to be into computers quite a bit, but now I've effectively stopped altogether. It's simply too expensive of a hobby for me to continue. In fact, I'm in the process of selling my three or so old PCs that I still have lying around.

[debtdude]

Before you commit to an offer that depends on your signing up for Internet service or one that promises big rebates, ask your retailer:

Do you have to sign up for Internet service and for how long? Is there a penalty for early cancellation?
What's the total cost of the Internet service contract?
Will you have to pay long distance charges to access the Internet? Will you have to pay an "hourly" fee to use a "toll-free" phone number?
Is the monitor sold separately? What does it cost?
How long will it be before you receive your rebate checks?

[jaksilee]

I got both my cpu and monitor thru work when they were getting rid of them at no charge... though I recently splerged and got a new flat screen monitor on sale for a good price. I had a friend who is a computer guru and memory and some other stuff, and I use to be able to call him to fix any problems.

[Roupey03]

My father works for IBM. I got my Desktop as a gift for graduation and my laptop was employee discount 2000 marked to 1300. I could have got one cheaper, but with my dad working at IBM I get free replacement parts for the life of the model.

[LittleGopher]

Some of our first computer systems were hand-me-downs from friends who wanted the latest and greatest on the market.

Now my husband has many opportunities to scavange from the companies where he installs security systems. Often he'll come across a pile of electronics ready for disposal, he'll ask and receive permission to take what he wants, and we have a motley assortment of computer components. We've rarely had to buy anything computer-wise, except for printers. My husband comes across them, but usually there is a good reason for being in the disposal pile, or the ink cartridges are outrageously expensive.

It is really amazing what is deemed obsolete by many companies. If you have the know-how, or are married to one who does(in my case) or know someone who does, this is a great way to put together a system custom-designed to your needs.

[kealina]

my current computer, a dell laptop, was given to me around 5 years ago by my uncle when my desktop died... he had two extra and gave me his "spare" junk one... he's the president of a construction (plumbing) company and i think somebody gave him the brand new dell for free but he didn't need it (he likes to stay on top of tech) so he gave it to me... yay! i think that's as frugal as it can get...the hard drive has gone bad twice so we've replaced it twice but that's only $100-200 each time as DH is handy and does it... =)... works for me, especially as i have simple needs...

[debtfreeme]

bought it in 98 for grad school lap top was a requirement. is very slow so i have not used it in probably 1.5 years. i use the comp at work on my lunch and before/after occassionally on the weekends. the comp sits at home in it's case. i dream about a new one but then would have to pay for internet and would not really use it at all right now. I am enrolling in another masters in fall 07 (accepted but postponed it a year) so i am sure i will have to buy one then.

[billybob]

I was considering buying a new laptop, but instead requested one through work. Now I have a computer for free as long as I work here...