The thrifts I go to here in Chicago are not too bad about desktop systems ($10-$20 for 386/486 boxes, $5-$20 for monitors), but any laptop _starts_ at $50, even XT or AT-class ones. A marginally useable 486 will most likely be $150. I usually don't even bother with the hardware -- I go looking for old MS-DOS software. -----Original Message----- From: Robert F. Schaefer [mailto:rschaefe@gcfn.org] Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2003 6:02 PM To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org Subject: Re: Locating older systems & parts... (was: RE: making disk images) <snip> I've heard many Texans on the list say something like `I passed up the quad Xeon box at the salvation army 'cause it only had a half-gig of ram and they wanted 45 bucks for it.' Ok, maybe not quite like that, but the stuff they talked about would *never* be seen in a local store, or priced higher than new. Literally. The local $thrift_store_charities are hell-bent on making a profit, and it bugs the crap outta me to see them selling junk, for obscene prices, to poor people who might not know any better. Whoops-- sorry. </rant> <snip> Bob