Here are some examples of what new and used computers cost in '96, plus or minus a few months...

Computer News PC... New Acer 66 MHz 486DX2 with 4MB memory and SVGA monitor $995 USD; CD-ROM $75 extra (1996). Used IBM PC-XT with 640K memory $140 (late 1995).

DCS Industries... New 133 MHz 586 with 8MB memory and an SVGA monitor $739. New 120 MHz Pentium w\ 8MB RAM, SVGA monitor, and 33.6 kbps modem $1149 (1997 prices).

While most of these prices were quite expensive, a two or three year old 386 or high-end 286 was much more affordable.

Sources: Various old publications and catalogs.