This Slashdot thread got me to thinking about the PCs I have purchased over the years.
1989 12MHz 80286 - bought it on my first work term in university and used while in university.
1993 66MHz 80486DX2 with VLB motherboard - bought after I graduated and started working for IBM
1998 MediaGX Ambra Ispirati - this was a real dog of a computer which I wouldn't have bought except we received a $1000 gift certificate with our mortgage
2001 Athlon XP with nForce 420 motherboa