Older compaqs can take a beating!! My compaq laptop has been stepped on, sat on, spilled on with soda and water, thrown etc and still works like a champ! *a cranky champ but...*
ILoveMyAbbyGirl is totally right, the older compaq computers do last a LONG time. Since they merged with HP though the quality has gone DOWNHILL in a big hurry, thats why I wont touch the new ones. If you want to get into something cheaper, get a 2 year or so old compaq. It WILL last!