Bonnie, it looks like Best Buy is having a 3 day sale that has a lot of computers. Maybe one fits your needs: [link]

le n, I did pay with a credit card, but Amazon says that they cannot help me because I waited 4 days too long to submit my claim. It doesn't matter that the seller did not follow Amazon packing protocols.

I took too long trying to fix the problem myself and that is a choice I'm now having to PAY for. Lesson learned, I suppose.

Since the purchase was for a used item, through Amazon, I can't imagine that my credit card company would take it on.

I just feel so stupid. On a bunch of levels.

Thanks for the best buy heads up omnis. The clearance isn't quite as dirt in the cheap department as I need, but you've got me thinking about another option.

Some years ago, I moved the massively heavy armoire that I use for a computer station out of my therapy office (which is quite smallcosy, into my huge great room. There is a ton of light, it's cheery and has a great view.

I may be kidding myself, but I imagine I am more productive in here.

However, since the noise emanating from the mini mac is getting louder by the day, I suspect I'm going to have to shell out for a new desktop sooner, rather than later.

If I hire someone to move the 'office' back into the office, I could possibly get by with just one computer.

My primary hesitation is that using the biofeedback monitor might be more comfortable if the client is on the couch with a laptop, rather than sitting in an office chair, looking at a large screen.

...thinking...

By chance, have you asked Apple how much a replacement motherboard would be? Just an idea.

The Geniuses tell me the motherboard would cost $350.

That would be less than a new mini + dvd drive, for sure.

Does it make sense to replace the motherboard in a 2009 computer? I'd do it, if it meant adding a new engine that would go another 100,000 miles, versus new tires on a clunker.

bonny,

this may not apply in your circumstance, so let me tell you my tale and you can figure out what to do.

I bought an item on paypal with my credit card years ago. The item was a xmas gift and never was delivered. The manufacturer promised a ship date, but never communicated with me when my friend was to receive the item. They kept promising and promising and then I was outside the 60 day (or whatever) timeframe for paypal complaint.

So I contacted Discover, told them the situation, sent them the documentation I sent paypal, and the documentation of my issue. They gave me a credit on my credit card.

Period.

That's it.

Paypal is terrific about such things, I'm told. Amazon is not.

I can try with the credit card, I suppose. It's problematic that I did not take a photo of the inadequate packaging. I suppose they could say that I dropped the machine on the way to the Apple store.

Though, again, nothing ventured nothing gained.

bonny, definitely try with your credit card company.

No, actually, PayPal sucks in that regard. But this is where credit cards are very, very good. You should contact your cc company immediately.

Does it make sense to replace the motherboard in a 2009 computer? I'd do it, if it meant adding a new engine that would go another 100,000 miles, versus new tires on a clunker.

I'm still using a first Gen intel iMac. It's gotta be 8 years old or so. If you can buy a win machine for that price that has sim specs, I'd go that direction. But if they cost more, the mini will last awhile.

The problem with going through the cc company is that bonny intended to use this for work. If that is mentioned, they automatically will not cover it. At least that was my experience with a claim we tried to make regarding some of KCD's tools.