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Second hand PCs
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Griff-James



Joined: 08 Oct 2006
Posts: 171
Location: A place full of 18 year olds and endless ale. Not not this time.
PostPosted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 4:40 pm    Post subject: Second hand PCs Reply with quote
How much would a decent second hand PC cost in Saudi?
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trapezius



Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 1670
Location: Land of Culture of Death & Destruction
PostPosted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 6:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Why are you looking for a second hand PC? And where exactly where would you buy one?

PCs have become very cheap here. Heck, even laptops have come down to SR. 2,500 and under for a basic one. DO NOT get a second hand PC, even if you find one. It will be terribly slow, and might be plagued. Pick up a new one including monitor for under SR. 2,000. If that's still too much, get a new CPU and second hand monitor (again, there are not many avenues to buy used electronic and computer equipment in SA).

If you can get one from the US, they are even cheaper there. You can get a basic laptop for $400, which is SR. 1,500. (yes, a laptop)
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sheikh radlinrol



Joined: 30 Jan 2007
Posts: 1222
Location: Spain
PostPosted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 8:34 pm    Post subject: Re: Second hand PCs Reply with quote
Griff-James wrote:
How much would a decent second hand PC cost in Saudi?


I know that teachers' salaries in KSA aren't what they used to be but, please, ''second hand computers''?
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brasscat



Joined: 22 Jan 2007
Posts: 245
Location: Farpoint Mindstation
PostPosted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 11:27 pm    Post subject: Why buy a problem? Reply with quote
Viruses and Worms are common in second hand PCs, especially in Saudi.

Even when you buy a new one in KSA a good per centage have unlicensed software installed. Micro-sloth is a real pain for checking software legality.

You can buy excellant laptops in the USA. The Dell Inspiron 1525 is perfect for use in the Sand Box.
brasscat
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mistral



Joined: 17 Feb 2007
Posts: 93
Location: Herat Afghanistan
PostPosted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 8:01 am    Post subject: Obtaining a PC Reply with quote
Nowadays, many colleges will provide you with a laptop. Third County Nationals used to do a roaring trade in used PCs. Even they can afford new ones now.
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trapezius



Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 1670
Location: Land of Culture of Death & Destruction
PostPosted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 9:12 am    Post subject: Re: Second hand PCs Reply with quote
sheikh radlinrol wrote:
I know that teachers' salaries in KSA aren't what they used to be but, please, ''second hand computers''?


I was gong to say something like that in my initial reply, but I decided to be more diplomatic Very Happy

If money truly is a problem for the OP, then Jarir Bookstore here in Saudi, which has one of the biggest collection of laptops, offers a monthly payment scheme for the purchase of laptops. And I am not sure, but I think it is interest-free.

EDIT: I just looked up the details. For a SR. 3,000 laptop, the payments are about SR 200 per month (~$55). I am not sure how long you pay for, which of course depends on if there is a downpayment or not.
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Griff-James



Joined: 08 Oct 2006
Posts: 171
Location: A place full of 18 year olds and endless ale. Not not this time.
PostPosted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 12:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks for the advice.

I don't want a new PC as I don't want to lug it back at the end of the contract and already have a Quad Core PC at home.

I just need one to prepare lesson plans and exercises.
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brasscat



Joined: 22 Jan 2007
Posts: 245
Location: Farpoint Mindstation
PostPosted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 1:38 pm    Post subject: On Compound Market Reply with quote
The on compound market for used PCs at PMU is hot. Most end of contract people sell them fast. The school kids are always needing a PC.

PMU does provide all faculty with a University Laptop. It has all the programs you will need for lessons and grades. A wireless set-up is included.

Jarrir in Al-Khobar has some very nice PCs, no interest. Good software support too.
brasscat
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Stephen Jones



Joined: 21 Feb 2003
Posts: 4124
PostPosted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 4:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
My advice is to wait to see what your employer provides and if you still need one, get a laptop. You can sell it when you leave, but it is useful anyway to have a desktop and a laptop.
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scot47



Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
PostPosted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
You can economise on clothes too. There is a place in downtown Dammam that sells recycled clothes.

And don't forget the free Iftar breakfast at some of the larger mosques during Ramadan.
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johnslat