The only advice I’d give is...make sure it has Windows 7.
If I could stay with XPPro I would. Learning a new operating system is always a PITA.
I take it you don’t like Windows 8 or 8.1 which are being offered by Dell on new machines?
The latest version of Windows always seems to be more problematic than the one it replaces.
Plus ask for the cd so you do not need to create one yourself.
The Windows 7 files are on a hidden partition on the hard drive but if the drive goes then so does your ability to reinstall.
“...make sure it has Windows 7.”
YES! I got a great deal last January on a Toshiba lap top (typing on it now) from Staples. It is super light and it was the floor model so very much reduced.
The deciding factor was that it had windows 7, all the other models displayed had windows 8, so I said if I don’t buy this now I might now be able to find one without windows 8.
It really was an impulse buy, not at something I’d usually do, but it’s worked out very nicely I must say.