I haven't looked for a bit (and its blocked at work) but I have bought several PCs and laptops from HP on their E-bay site - HP Renew.

Usually discontinued models (it was okay last week then) or stuff that has been returned. All come with a waranty and you can pick up some really cheap PCs.

To be quite honest, 90% of people have a PC that is more than powerful enough for their needs so you don't always need the latest spec. Don't spend money you don't need to if all you are going to do is surf the net and write the odd e-mail.

No its not true.

All signals coming from your PC start off and are processed as digital signals, CRT monitors do not accept this signal as usable so the video card of your PC needs to convert it to an analogue signal it can process, mostly RGB. That's carried by the VGA connector (normal 15 pin D Type) to your monitor.

LCD displays are digital, so if you use the VGA connector the display has to convert this RGB signal back into a digital signal it can use.

Thats where DVI cables come in, they carry he raw digital signal to your LCD monitor. If your PC can output a digital signal and your monitor can read a digital signal why convert it to RGB and then back again.

Microsoft's vista will screw with the digital signal, so it will not be viewable on either LCD or CRT equipment.

FWIW I had a Dell Insprion 9100 lappy which started overheating then melting interally due to a design fault. After about 20 mins on the phone to Dell I had a brand spanking new Inspiron 9400 with top spec arriving and a few battery thrown in.

They even left it 4 months before asking for me to return the 9100.

I've been quite happy with Dell and both my Dad and sister have Dells on the go at the mo.

That is what i call good customer relations, Good on yah Dell. :D :D :D It is a pity it doesn't happen more often. hope you didn't lose too much data.
Born2fly

I go for Dell every time these days. Had several makes. I buy a new desktop and laptop every two years. I spend about £1,000 on each of them.

Three days ago I spilt a double gin & tonic on the keyboard of my laptop. It went crazy for about two hours, but dried out overnight and now works perfectly.

Sounds like my wife.

ah.

sigh.

Evil, thy name is M$.