Some of the older Dells were really good computers. My first two were Dells, a Latitude C640, followed by the Latitude D610. And these notebooks, while now their value is considerably less, cost well over $1,000 brand new.
The C640, I lucked up on, at a bankruptcy auction, for $500. It was less than a year old, had a carrying case & 2 batteries. Lasted me for 6 years until it slipped from my hand getting out of the car. Landed on the upper left corner, MB was cracked (& the You Tube oven trick didn't work).
The D610, was 3 years old at the time of purchase, & was fully loaded. It lasted less than 2 years, but I got every cent ($400) that I paid back through my SquareTrade warranty.
While they both did run a bit hot, especially the C640, I did get good use out of them. They also didn't have the bloatware of today's computers & were made of magnesium, not plastic. This probably contributed to their long lives.
Cat