What a deal! - sources of inexpensive or no-cost products and services for small businesses - includes a list of sources for free software demos - Cover
Home Office Computing

Business isn't only about closing deals.

It's also about finding deals from budget supplies to inexpensive travel and entertainment to low-cost (or no cost?) business advice.

Believe it or not, there are lots of bargains in these areas just waiting to be had. Read on to find out about some Of HOME OFFICE COMPUTING'S favorites.

Little things add up. Paying even only a few dollars less each time you stock up on supplies can translate into real savings over the course of a year.

Save cents-ibly on each floppy you purchase. A 10-pack of new, brand-name, 3.5-inch high-density disks (formatted) might cost at least $9 or $10, even through mail-order houses. Companies, such as Computer Recyclers, Media Value, and Direct Micro, sell high- quality "recycled" (erased and relabeled) disks for a fraction of that price--usually from 30 to 50 cents for each 3.5-inch high- density disk. And you can be sure that the disks are high-quality, because they're purchased from the surplus stocks of major software manufacturers. Note that in some cases you may have to purchase disks in quantity: Computer Recyclers, (801) 226-1892; Direct Micro, (800) 288-2887; Media Value, (800) 845-3472.

Go green with remanufactured toner cartridges. Recycled toner cartridges are easy on the environment and your wallet. One typically costs about $60, versus upwards of $75 for a new one. The drawback is that some reused toner cartridges simply don't provide the high-quality output your business demands, so it's important to get a remanufactured unit (not just one that's been refilled or reconditioned) and to choose a reputable source.