Well, not sure I agree there. I went to a local computer show and found a new desktop system for around $650. This was a 1.4GHz AMD, 256K ram, 40GB 7200rpm HD, etc, etc. They had inexpensive monitors (refurbs) for $50 - so for around $700 I have a pretty up-to-date and speedy system. This didn't include the software, but I own it already.

You speed a few hundred less to get a 300Mhz system - sure it will work, but your OS is already 4 years old. And at 300Mhz, your at the minimum that XP supports already. If Rick goes this route, he might as well save the original message cause he'll need it again in another year or so.

Hardware is not that expensive right now (memory and hard disk especially), it may be a good opportunity to get one.