Yes, good advice but now more than three years old. Anyone looking for the best prices on computing hardware and software would do well to check PriceWatch.com before making any purchase decision. Computers in general and especially desktop models are even more of a commodity than they had become three years ago.

It still makes very little sense to upgrade your old unit. To upgrade you'll typically need a ROM BIOS upgrade, more hard disk space, more memory, a better video card, perhaps a new sound card and probably a new OS version. All that and you get no warranty and your processor still runs way slower than a new unit. And if your computer is more than just a hobby or a convenience, you'll want a suitable service agreement that provides same day or next day on site service.

Add to Max's advice the fact the whole market has collapsed since he wrote it and you'll find that even the top brands (i.e., Dell, HP) are competing on price with the rest of the market.

      - Mark