PC Gladiator

Went in on a whim to see if I could get a computer recycled. The guy behind the counter checked it out and mentioned he wouldn’t be able to buy it but they’d for sure be able to recycle it. It wasn’t my intention to get anything for the laptop or iPhone I brought in but the fact that he checked without me bringing it up, was something to take note of.
I ended up asking a few computer related questions as I’m in the market for a new laptop. As much as Amazon & Best Buy reviews help it’s always helpful to get honest answers & opinions from someone in person.
There’s also a very cool video game collection to look at if you’re into video games.

My crappy little 2 year old netbook was driving me bananas when it started acting like we had a dial –up internet connection at home. I’m a very DIY grassroots micro/​small biz marketer and really needed some speed action to get through editing some websites, miscellaneous marketing projects and updating Google Adword accounts I manage on the side. I really did not want to spend big bucks on a new computer of any kind either and I was in ready-​to-​buy mode in case my netbook crashed on me. Craigslist produced very limited possibilities that didn’t pan out or were out of my willing budget ($ 100 bucks and THAT’S IT). All I wanted was something used, functional and internet-​worthy. I expanded my search into the tri-​county area and up popped up a by-​dealer ad that proclaimed a laptop clearance sale for $ 99 and under. From the picture attached to the ad they looked to have several to choose from. Seemed like PC Gladiator was just what the doctor ordered.
2 days later I take a way-​far (for me) drive into Livonia in the area of 5 Mile. I hate driving on the interstates in MI and avoid them whenever possible, but that’s a personal, not a PC Gladiator, problem. The owner directed me to the clearance corner and all the laptops there had a sheet on them with an As-​Is honest-​enough description of what operating system level they had and condition. Some units had popped off keys, bad USB ports, bad batteries and other minor to medium-​ish issues. There was some trepidation, but I came across a Dell with some throwback XP software (others had Vista) that had a working battery. He said batteries can be bought and ordered off Ebay and such, but I had no time to go searching online and deal with mail time. I was assured that all the computers were wiped clean and, for a lack of a better tech word, re-​installed. A definite plus as I did not want to run into a random stranger’s old freaky porn pics (something I worried about with the prospect of buying off private party on CL).
I wanted to make sure the internet connection was functional before I bought anything and left so he fired it up and the connection to the Wi-​fi in the store seemed lagging. No fear, said owner installed some little doo-​hickey thing in one of the USB ports which made everything right with the internet world again. He said that he’d throw that little gizmo in at no charge if I went with the laptop. Owner recommended that I download Google Chrome on the unit if I bought it too. I did some quick web-​access testing and was satisfied enough to make a purchase. $ 100 out the door and done. I believe he said if there were any issues he’d do an exchange or store credit or something to that effect. My kid was starting to cut up in the store so I half caught that policy so I would double check that if I were you. Seeing as I only had a $ 100 budget, I was hoping The Kid didn’t knock over the smaller and full-​size armored knights that were around the store and were probably valued at more than $ 100. Yes, knights. Not quite gladiators, but warriors just the same, no?
Well, it’s been a few days and the laptop hasn’t crapped out on me yet. It works at a much better speed than my netbook does at home as well as on the Wi-​fi at McD’s. Everything it came loaded with is very, VERY basic (think Notepad). The sound works great and it plays YouTube videos pretty well, but not my son’s preferred
videos that require advanced Flash software (which I am not about to download onto this thing). I really have a tendency to junk up computers with all kinds of crap and will keep it to the internet work, saving a few simple work files on this computer and utilizing my memory stick to the fullest. I really appreciate the bigger screen I have now with this laptop versus using the tiny one on the netbook. Oh, the store had other new and used computers and laptops available for purchase and they also do repair and maintenance, etc. I will very more than likely consider PC Gladiator again when I am ready to upgrade to a much better used computer.