Bill Myers

These days, the power of the computer you use often dictates your ability to create and compete. For that reason, it makes sense to replace your computer if it is holding you back.

We recently replaced our main office computer with a new one, configured to handle our growing product development business needs.

The total delivered cost for the new computer? $827.54.

Here's what we ordered:

• Dell Dimension 4600
• 2.8Ghz Intel Pentium 4 Processor
• Windows XP Pro Operating system
• 512 Meg Ram, 6 USB 2.0 ports, 2 firewire ports
• 80Gig 7200 Ultra ATA Hard Drive
• 128 MEG Nvidia GeForce FX 5200 Graphics card
• 48X CD-RW drive,
• no DVD drive (we will add an external DVD writer later)
• Speakers, keyboard, mouse, network card
• No monitor

Frankly, I'm amazed that you can get a computer like this from a top manufacturer for around $800. I remember paying more than twice that two years ago for a computer not nearly so capable.

It's great to be in a business where the tools you rely on get better and better, yet the cost to acquire them continues to get less each year.