Today, UAA had their IT surplus sale, where they get rid of their old computer equipment and computing furniture (desks, cabinets, etc.). We got there about an hour after they opened and apparently had missed the laptop sales. However, I was able to swing two 17" monitors and a decent desktop computer for $175. Screens were Dells with VGA, DVI, and USB hubs. Desktop was a higher-end Dell workstation, P4 running at 3Ghz, 2GB RAM, a 40GB SATA hard drive, and a DVI+VGA dedicated video card. Screens were $75 for two, and the computer was $100.

Not bad deals. Talking to the folks there, they're planning on having another sale in June, if people are interested in picking up used computer gear. I understand not everyone needs / wants aged computer parts, but in my time wrangling computers, having spares is rarely a bad thing. Likely, this one will be a replacement for my 2003 A31 IBM Thinkpad. It so longs for death, and maybe I can finally grant its wish.