How much is this old computer worth?

Posted in Technicalon Apr 13, 2008

I have a friend who is trying to sell her 2004 eMachines computer. Please comment on how much you think this would actually be worth. After a few answers, or in a day or two, I’ll post how much she actually wants for it. Here are the brief specs that she’s posted:

-2.70 GHz Intel Celeron processor
-40GB hard drive
-Read/Write CD drive
-512 MB of Memory
-internet ready (LAN and Modem)
-Intel Extreme Graphics 3d video card
-Windows XP installed (I have the OS disc, and can reinstall a clean copy for you)
-Microsoft Office Student edition (I can leave it on the computer, but I can’t give you the install CD)

So how much is this worth, with accompanying keyboard and mouse? She also is selling her matching 15″ monitor, so she says.

2 Comments

Alex

April 14th, 2008 at 7:23 am

Celeron? I wouldn’t take that thing for free.

jacob

April 15th, 2008 at 9:18 am

She wants $145 for the computer, $25 for the monitor, or $160 combined. I think a general rule of thumb is that computers are devalued at 30-50% per year. Even at the more conservative 30% per year level, that would put her initial computer cost at about $700, which almost seems slightly high for an eMachines.

People who buy computers should not expect to re-sell them later. Maybe if they are lucky they might be able to do that, but it shouldn’t be an expectation. If they only want a computer for a short amount of time, they should consider renting a computer instead. For BYU students, like this girl, renting a computer from BYU turns out to be a great deal.

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