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Ask HN: Does anyone have an old computer laying around unused in Brisbane, AU?

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Re: Ask HN: Does anyone have an old computer laying around unused in Brisbane, AU?

#23

Post by DonaldH »

JonoW wrote: post #7

Check out freecycle.org, it's a place where people advertise stuff to give away for free (normally on condition of you picking it up). There is also a "wanted" section to ask for particular items, which you might find useful. Here is the URL for the Brisbane group: https://groups.freecycle.org/group/freecycle_brisbane/posts/...

Hey Jono, thank you for the suggestion. I have actually been watching freecycle for a while but have had no luck.

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone have an old computer laying around unused in Brisbane, AU?

#24

Post by JacobAldridge »

While I can't help with your immediate crisis, if you ever want to talk startup strategies just ping my email (in profile). squirrel in London has a great gesture I'd like to pay forward now I'm back home in Brisbane, of always being willing to buy you lunch, learn about what you're building, and offer to help / connect in anyway I can.

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone have an old computer laying around unused in Brisbane, AU?

#26

Post by drcross »

dagw wrote: post #20
netcan wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've never used one, but I'm surprised at the apparent gap between such suggestions and the lack of availability of such devices. I mean, if a Pi can run perfectly well for $35, where's the place where you can just go and get a ready-to-go PC for under $50, BYO salvaged peripherals? It doesn't quite seem to make sense? PC/mobile manufacturing is so competitive. Isn't this a market anyone wants?

Once you add the bare minimums you need to make a RasperryPI a basic PC (power, case, wifi, storage etc) then you're probably pushing at least $100 and you're going to have a hard time making money selling them for less than $150-200. And at that price point there already are a number of players

Exactly. The rpi2 makes perfect sense if you are already a techy and have all those bits lying around and are happy enough making a cardboard case (which I am). For the consumer it's not packaged well enough.

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone have an old computer laying around unused in Brisbane, AU?

#27

Post by cpfohl »

schappim wrote: post #14
dmeeze wrote: post #6

http://edgeqld.org.au/create

I just taught a workshop there. It's not really the space to start a software startup.

Call me crazy, but if you don't have a working computer anywhere where you can use one for free is a pretty good place to work on a task that requires the use of a computer.

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone have an old computer laying around unused in Brisbane, AU?

#29

Post by madaxe_again »

Ah, memories. I started our company in 2006 with a very heavy, very yellow, 486 compaq laptop.

Yes, I'm fully aware there are better machines I could have used for a fairly nominal amount, but all I needed was bash, mutt and vim, and money was better spent on food and water.

Graduated to using a "broken (needed a new HDD)" ibook when the roof decided it didn't feel like keeping rain out one night.

That doesn't help one jot with your immediate problem, but I empathise, and have been in your shoes.

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