Recycled desktop systems are the way forward

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Product: Recycled Dell Optiplex GX280
FROM: Computer Remarketing Services Limited
System: Pentium 4 2.8GHz, 40GB WDC WD400BD 75JMC0 40Gb hard disk, Windows XP 512MB Ram, DVD ROM drive, floppy, Radeon x300 half-height graphics card
Dell keyboard, new optical mouse
Price: £170
Product: Dell 1707FP monitor
Price: £75

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Product: Recycled HP desktop system
FROM: Computer Remarketing Services Limited
System: Pentium 4 2.8GHz, 40GB 40Gb hard disk, Windows XP 512MB Ram, DVD ROM drive, floppy, Radeon x300 half-height graphics card
HP keyboard, new optical mouse
Price: £170

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WE WENT AND SNIFFED around the premises of Milton Keynes' Computer Remarketing Services a while ago.

Impressed, we were, with the industrious little outfit of computer recyclers, cleaning up discarded, functional IT kit and passing it on.

We asked boss, Terry Maguire, to ship us a couple of PC systems to have a fiddle with. One running Windows XP and run running an implementation of Linux. He did. And we have duly fiddled. And mighty pleased with the merchandise we are too.

CRS sent us a Dell desktop Optiplex system, bragging a 2.8GHz Pentium 4 and running Windows XP Professional. We've also been running a similar HP Pentium 4 based system set up to dual boot to either Windows XP or Mandriva Linux.

The systems arrived impressively packaged up in much of their original cardboard. The PCs themselves are compact desktop systems, similarly sized. The Dell wins on looks while both already look decidedly retro. The HP wins on weight and feels like it's made of solid steel.

The Dell 1707FP monitor is still classy and surprisingly un-retro. It's one of the better ones, as you can work out here.

Sat on the PC case, the monitor adjusts comfortably to the required height. The screen image is bright and responsive.

The machines' innards are spotless having been scrupulously cleaned. The Dell boots straight to an activated and updated Windows XP, with its firewall on. Pre-installed Open Office and up to date AVG Free edition virus buster are a nice touch.

The HP can boot to XP or to a installation of Linux. The Windows implementation wanted to be reactivated, presumably having detected the presence of the Penguin, but the dual-boot was a nice touch. Microsoft re-activated XP when asked.

Both machines shipped with XP on a disk and the licence on the side of the hardware. The HP's was a plain old copied CD.

We asked Microsoft if it had any problem with the licenses changing hands in this way.

Robert Epstein, OEM group manager, Microsoft Ltd., told us that under Microsoft's licensing terms and conditions, this scenario is fine. "An OEM licence lives and dies with the PC so as long as the PC being recycled still has its certificate of authenticity (COA) attached, the supplier isn't at fault. The software simply needs to match that licensed via the COA.," he said

Most of CRS's clients are medium-sized companies upgrading to new or different computer systems. It recycles their kit to smaller businesses and end users. As a result the systems are more likely the business-class styled Optiplex or equivalent branding, which, as Liam notes, have their advantages.

CRS is knocking the machines out at £170 each. The very smart screen is £75. The firm offers a three-month warranty on the machines and gives you 14 days to send it back, no questions asked, should you decide you don't want it.

In this line of work you constantly get asked what machine someone should buy to get them on the Interweb. The answer now is: one of these. Couple of hundred quid. It's Got half-decent 3D graphics, Windows XP. Decent monitor for a few quid more. Bargain. Turns up your doorstep and it works. Plug it in, bob's your uncle.

Barman's Verdict

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L'INQ
Computer Remarketing Services Limited