Check your phone book to see if you have locally a branch of an organization called Fry's Electronics. It's a chain electronics superstore. I recently urgently HAD to buy a new computer because my old one was imminently going to give out. I talked to "my" computer repairman, and he told me to check the Sunday paper for Fry's Electronics' two or four page insert, because they not only have EXCELLENT prices on all kinds of electronic stuff, but every week run sensational specials.

I was able to get a really good quality desktop computer called (are you ready for this?) "Quality Computer" for less than $200! Without monitor, because my existing monitor was fine. I've had it for maybe six months now, and couldn't be happier. It has more HD space than my two year old Compaq, also more memory, and pretty durn fast, but I disremember the details. It came with a non Microsoft operating system, and I wasn't sure that my specialized computer program whereby I earn my bread would run on it, so I Googled for a cheap source of and EOM version of MS 200NT. The whole shootin' match cost less than $300, I know, but I forget the actual final figure.

Now you may want a laptop, which this is not, but Fry's, if you have one locally, would probably have a super deal on those too.

Disclaimer: I have no interest in Fry's Electronics other than as a satsified customer.

Dave Oesterreich