Computer for $10

[flintlock]

Re: Computer for $10

If you're unemployed, even a few day's wages is too much.

The person in question finds the money for booze and eating out.

But yes, I agree, when you are broke, your'e broke. My point is that internet should be a high priority, ESPECIALLY if you are out of work. Many jobs are found via the internet. Craigslist is a great way to sell stuff to raise money. My friend who is broke has probably $2-3000 worth of guns,tools, and other stuff just sitting around. He's asked me how to get rid of the guns since I am a gun collector. I told him to list them on a popular gun auction site. Yet still they sit in his closet. Meanwhile he is being threatened with jail because he is a few grand behind on child support. It's about priorities. But there is a certain element in society that has an anti-intellectual attitude that ensures they will always have "hard luck". This guy doesn't like computers so he thinks he can slide by without one the rest of his life. Good luck with that.

[flintlock]

Re: Computer for $10

I can't call it "too expensive" but for the mostly basic service we have at home (one step up from basic cable, internet, and phone service), I'm paying $135 a month which in itself, is not that much money but on top of other necessary expenses, does add up.

Agreed, things like computers/devices are relatively cheap, for what the offer, and the laptop I recently purchased for one of my kids has tremendous power for the price.

That said, all my mom and dad had to buy for me to function in school was a few pens and notebook paper. Now just to keep up - I need internet access at home, a printer, a laptop.... if the devices lasted more than 3 or 4 years before they broke or become too "slow", that would be great.

$10 laptop? Sounds good to me.

Comcast in my area has somewhat slow 1.5mbs internet only service for $15 month for a year. About $42 for the 20mbs at full price.

I am thinking about switching my home phone to this

http://www.voipo.com/residential.shtml

$100 year with all the bells and whistles. Just nice to have a home phone with kids.

I know what you mean about buying stuff for the kids. The kids use the printer more than I do. I picked up a networkable color laser for $130 recently. I know their scam is to sell you overpriced cartridges, but I have had luck in the past buying knock off cartridges on ebay for 1/4 price. I don't do a lot of printing and most does not have to be high quality. I have a $50 B&W laser sitting in my office that I've had for three years. Buy toner refill on ebay for less than $10. Cheap printing.

[sishya]

Re: Computer for $10

- There is trick to get comcast high speed 12MBPS for $20/month. You get the 6 months promo 19.99/month + basic cable $13, then before it expires, you call in to
disconnect it at a future date. Before it gets disconnected, you will get offer letters a few days before disconnection from comcast to re-negotiate to lower price or get phone calls from them and then give you another 6 months for $19.99/month. you can also own your own high speed cable modem(motorola ??) which saves on monthly rental fees $5.00/month
and in places where latest cable protocol DOCSIS 3.0 runs, you can get 20 MBPS for this rate even when the advertized rate is 12 MBPS.

- For Brother printer, it just stops printing even if the cartridge is not fully empty. I usually set the printer to Black/White printing. Then when it reports low ink, I put a tape
on the cartridge and the printer will continue printing. This is a trick by the Manufacturers to make us buy cartridge after giving us cheap Printers. see youtube for instructions.

[c1ue]

Re: Computer for $10

In 2008 I bought an ink jet document center ( print/fax/scan) for $150.00 in black and white. This year I can buy a color model for the same price. It is a marvel of intricate plastic and metal parts. I cannot for the life of me believe that this is reflective of their costs. I would expect to pay more for a nonfunctional wood model of a printer. I have several book cases that cost more ( made of plywood). Owing to monumental subsidies from the super-cheap labor in the far east and super cheap oil, you can afford what used to be a kings ransom in high tech gadgets. This situation is untenable and it will not last for ever.

The business model in printers is very much to sell the hardware at or below cost, then make up for it in ink/toner sales.

I bought a Dell printer plus wireless adaptor off Craigslist 2 years ago; it was literally brand new in box.

It turns out that model has an actual chip on the toner cartridge which prevents the cartridge from being refilled.

Fortunately the free market has provided services which not only provide refilled toner cartridges, but also the chips to replace the electronic handcuff. Still cheaper than buying 'brand'.