
Rock journalism is people who can't write interviewing people who can't talk for people who can't read - Frank Zappa
More? The HP Vectra VL420 desktop PC P4 1.6GHz comes with a huge 0.96GB memory with a 20GB HDD. You also get thrown in a CDROM drive, NIC, sound as well as WinXP COA. £135 + P&P. Both this one and the one above are desktop PC; going normally under your screen.
If you are quick enough, you might bag that IBM Thinkpad T20 thin and light laptop for only £185 - BIN - inc delivery. It is unclear whether it comes with an OS but you get a P3-550MHz with 128MB memory, a large 14.1-inch TFT XGA screen, a 20GB HDD, 128MBB memory, a DVD ROM drive, LAN card and USB. Not sure whether this is good value? The laptop was launched in September 2000 for £3217 inc VAT.
Your needs are slightly more powerful, snatch one of those Compaq EVO D530 for £165 BIN. P4 2.4GHz, 512MB PC2700 memory, 40GB HDD, CDROM, NIC, Windows XP COA, 4 USB ports. Some online website are selling the 2.8GHz version of the D530 for £646. Note that all the four above have starting bids much lower than the buy it now prices. So you can try your luck.
Looking for yet another Media Centre. Found this one on cheap; really cheap. http://www.amuras.com/prodDetail.asp?PartNumber=E84802Amuras has the HP E84802 AKA Mediacenter M1170N for $669 - original price was $400 extra. P4 3GHz, 512MB memory, 200GB HDD, Card reader, X300SE with 128MB DDR, DVD writer, TV Tuner and most importantly, Windows XP MCE 2005. While is is not as sexy as its other counterparts, it beats them hands down on price and on specs. µ