Obtaining a laptop

[Matthew John Palmer <nospam [at] uow.edu.au>]

Since I'm only over here for a semester, I didn't really think it worthwhile
to purchase a desktop machine which I'd then have to get rid of fairly
quickly before I departed the country on my way to elsewhere.  I am badly
pining for a Linux box, however, and have considered a
Laptop/Notebook/Whatever which I can use here, and then transport to the US
(which is my next stop).  So, I'm after a laptop.

I don't, however, know the best way of obtaining one here.  On my price
range, I'm after second hand (I can probably stretch to about 200-250 quid,
but not alot further).  Luckily I don't use X-windows (except under duress)
so I can handle something with a 486, 8Mb of RAM, say about 500Mb HDD,
passive screen, and keyboard.  PCMCIA slot highly desired (in fact,
effectively mandatory) as I'm wanting a net card.  CD-ROM nice, but not
required - I have my ways of gettign Debian onto it... Linux compatibility
required, Windows compatibility deprecated.  <grin>

What is the best way of obtaining a beast like this?  Is there a publication
around England hich people canlist their 2nd hand computers (classified
newspaper)?  In Oz we've got a paper called the Trading Post - 140 odd pages
of stuff for sale.  Is there an equivalent here?  If not, what is the best
way of getting in touch with the people who are trying to get rid of their
laptops?

The computer shops I've been to haven't been terribly helpful, they seem to
deal mainly in new gear.  The onyl one which was any help was a place which
was offering a 486DX4-100 IBM for 210, no CD.

All help greatly appreciated.

-- 
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Matthew Palmer
mjp16@uow.edu.au

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