Note: I already have a decent laptop and just want a cheap, functional desktop for school work (not gaming etc.). I would appreciate if u could recommend which of these used computers is better to buy. Thanks.
**Desktop 1:
Details: 2 year old Compaq desktop computer for sale. Includes 17 inch flatscreen monitor (Samsung), and wireless keyboard and mouse (Microsoft).
Hard drive has 40 GB of storage space.
CPU is 2GHz.
512 mb of memory (plus additional upgrade).
Dual DVD ROM and CDR drive.
5 USB 2.0 slots.
Smart Media/xD card slot.
MMC/SD card slot.
CompactFlash I/II card slot.
Memory Stick/Pro card slot.
Firewire cable slot (for Digital video upload).
Original documentation and manuals included, along with software CDs.
Cost is 0.
*DESKTOP 2:
P4 Intel 2.4G, 512MB, 60GB harddrive onboard Audio + High Speed NIC, including mouse/keyboard and monitor 17" FLAT + XP Pro + office 200 pro + adobe pro + norton anti-virus (DISKS NOT INCLUDED for any of this)
**DESKTOP 3:
purchased in 2003. Includes: Dell Dimension 4550 Desktop, Dell Keyboard & Mouse, Dell Harman Kardon HK-395 Speakers with Subwoofer, BENQ 17" LCD Monitor (Purchased one year ago), Logitech QuickCam Pro, Microsoft W-Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, already intalled
-Wordperfect Productivity Pack
-All cables, manuals and discs that originally came with the computer (incl. original receipt)
Specs:
-Intel Pentium 4 Processor at 2.53 GHz
-512 MB DDR SDRAM at 333 MHz
-56K PCI Data Fax Modem for Windows
-SoundBlaster Live with 5.1 Support, 48x/24x/48x CD-RW Drive, 64 MB GeForce4 MX Graphics Card with TV-Out , 30GB Ultra ATA/100 Hard Drive 7200 RPM, Intel Pro 100M Integrated PCI NIC Card
- Notes: The comp has been used primarily for internet, music, video/webcam and Mic. Office Apps. Had 1 virus about 3 yrs ago (from downloading free music) for which we took it to a technician and had it wiped clean and everything re-installed. no probs since then. cost = 0.
note: cost of Desktop 2 = 0.


#3. Althou it has a smaller 30GB hard drive and no card reader its cpu is bigger and runs 533FSB versus the 2.0′s 400FSB which gives the 2.53 about 25% more bandwidth and would give you snappier performance. Could buy a storage drive and a card reader with the difference in price between #1 (350) and #3(250) Neither have DVD burning capability. I’d stay away from #2 because you’ll be out about 100 if you ever have to reinstall the OS and I question the legality of its software if they aren’t including the software CDs. If they, for example, decide to use the disc for the XP thats on the one they sell you and install the OS on another system then they will be calling Microsoft getting a new key and, if they do, POOF, one day after you’ve been online with it you won’t even be able to boot into Windows because your key’s been de-activated. Same thing with the Office Pro.
I would get one from Tigerdirect.com, or Newegg.com, that is new. Both of these are ancient. You need at least 1 gig of ram to do anything.