10 Best Bargain Carpet

Best Bargain Carpet in 2023

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How to Increase Your Technology Dollar

Hand-me-downs and bargain buys can do most of what those more expensive pieces can. MP3 players, laptops and phones will be hot items this holiday, and here's how you can get in on the act for less.

If you haven't noticed, retro is in. Car companies are bringing past names and designs to freshen their lots. Video games find new life and new profits in retro compilations, and 'retrosexual' has now entered the lexicon. As much as you wouldn't think so, retro can be applied to electronics and technology. With eBay and Goodwill stores brimming with older technology for cheap, now is the time to get in on the act.

There used to be a time where a cell phone was a luxury. Now, it's a virtual necessity. Cell phone plans are cheaper than landlines in some instances, and of course offer the portability Ma Bell can't. Even if you don't want to get involved in a contract, pay-as-you-go plans offer another alternative to being out of touch. Most major cellphone companies offer these prepaid phones and plans, but the GSM carriers (T-Mobile and AT T;) offer the best technology options. With GSM carriers, you get the option of international use, and you also have the option to switch phones at will. GSM uses something called a SIM card that transmits your information to the network, as opposed to having an electronic identification hard coded to the phone. When you get tired of one phone on GSM, buy another without having to go through the carrier.
AT T;'s GoPhones pack a lot of technology into a small price. But even these cheap entry-level phones tout a lot of options that some people can do without - that's where your bargain hunting for older technology can come in handy. eBay in particular is a buffet of people unloading older phones once they've gotten their new toys - it will be especially bountiful after the holidays and the presents. I like the Nokia 8290. True, this is a almost seven year old phone, but it could still work and look great for you. Most of these older Nokias offer faceplates that can be swapped to suit your individual style. The 8290 in particular has plenty of options, some can be found for under $2 through a Google search. I also like the 8290 because of the infrared port and ability to sync contacts with another infrared device. It's not Bluetooth, but then again you aren't paying Bluetooth prices. One thing you will have to watch is network compatibility. The 8290 is a GSM 1900 device, one that may or may not work in all GSM areas. If you find a model that looks interesting, check out the first link to get all the specs.

If you do want a little more technology for about the same price, AT T;'s Moto C168i GoPhone may suit your needs. Packed with Polyphonic ringtones, a WAP browser and a super-small form factor, this Moto is a great choice for those who need to check the occasional news headline or check ESPN. As with all GoPhones, the SIM cards are interchangeable - use the included $10 airtime or swap your own card in.

Now that people can actually talk to you, perhaps it's time to get a little computing portability. If you didn't feel like standing in front of Best Buy for two days to get the latest $200 laptop, don't fret - web browsing can be found for even cheaper - and you can actually learn something new in the process.

A few months ago, I was given a present: a Toshiba laptop that was about seven years old (2000 must have been a great tech year). Well, it was sort of a present. The laptop had been hit with a major virus and the operating system had to be wiped. Also, the CDROM didn't work. Only able to load Windows 3.1, I had little hope or cash to get it back to working order. It wasn't a bad little machine for it's day: a 450MHz processor, 160MB memory, a 4.3GB hard drive and a 12.1 screen. It even had a built-in 56K modem. Unfortunately, to say it was now a relic would be an understatement. USB drives now come with 4GBs, and the processor would only rival some phones today. But, all hope was not lost: this article was written on it.

The biggest problem you're going to have with a machine like this is the operating system. Let's face it: Windows 3.1 feels older than Dick Clark. If you happen to have a spare copy of Windows (and a working CDROM) that will run on your machine, by all means use it. Windows is the most software-compatible OS there is, even if it makes most people want to throw their machines out the window (Now you know why it's called Windows). For those of us without a spare copy, or the moral compass not to download an illegal copy, we must turn our thoughts elsewhere. This is where Linux comes in. Linux is unique that it can be immensely difficult to learn for the average user, yet can offer an experience that closely rivals Windows. There are as many different distributions of Linux as there seemingly are people, and each one may have something to offer you. Some offer everything but the software compatibility that Windows XP does, and others can be run off of flash drives. I am using the latest release of Xubuntu, and it works very well for my limited capacity machine.

In keeping with software, there are the alternatives to the Microsoft programs. Most people who are going to go the route of restoring an older machine are going to be using it mainly for web browsing and document producing. The Firefox web browser, embedded with many distributions, will serve most very well. Most distributions also come with word processors. I prefer OpenOffice, which is available as a free download. It's a very capable program, and I even use it in place of Word on my Win XP machine. Yes, it's that good. It will handle and output all your Word documents, PowerPoint presentations and Excel sheets. The interface of Linux will take a little while to get used to and be able to navigate, but I've found Linux users to be very friendly and help any newcomers with any adjustment problems they are having.

If finding a reasonable replacement CDROM was as difficult for you as it was for me, then using an external HDD case via USB may be an option. Instead of paying over $50 for a new drive, I decided to buy a $20 USB HDD kit from my local electronics outlet. I was able to install Xubuntu on this drive after a bit of experimentation from my XP desktop. But don't give up on those broken parts - patience will net you good parts at cheap prices, like a $10 CDROM after a few months. These eraserhead mice can be a bit annoying, so look for a wireless mouse for $15 when they seem to go on sale every two weeks - as long as you have a USB port. If you have PCMIA ports, look for a 802.11 card on clearance at Target or Goodwill (where a lot of Target clearance seems to go). For less than $60, I've resurrected an old piece of perfectly good computing power, and am more productive for it.

You're talking to all your friends on your new-old phone, you're surfing the net at Starbucks, you may even be downloading new music from a popular download program. Only problem is, you're still carrying around a CD player, or worse yet, an original Walkman. Never fear, more castaway technology is here to save you from yourself. That new iPod Touch looks incredible, but so does that $350 in your checking account. You can still play your music you've transferred from your Steely Dan LP and not break the bank. iPods, by far, offer the best value for the money if you're looking at a total home and car solution. The sheer number of 3rd party and aftermarket accessories and parts make it the logical choice for listening options. You can get older editions of the iPod family (Mini, 4th gen, etc) for under $100 if you're patient. If you don't care about docking your mp3 player with your entertainment center, there are much cheaper options. You can get 2GB mp3 players for under $30, or the mini disc format may be a good option. You can use any of these with a cheap tape converter for use in your car or at home.

So, there you have it. While these low-cost solutions may not be appropriate for your high-tech wishlist friends, they are more than capable for your budget-minded use. They are also great for kids, who may or may not be ready for more expensive or more sophisticated gadgets. They'll also get you through until you find what you really want, or a price you can jump on. They even make great backup items: I use an older phone for going to the gym, and I don't have to worry about my expensive phone getting stolen. And when it comes to piece of mind, $10 can be worth so much more.