I guess I'm just looking for opinions of people who might know more about the subject than I do : )

I have an old Dell Dimension 4600.  I haven't really sat down to use it too much in the past few years, but I'm pretty sure it works ok.  I have mainly used my Compaq laptop, but that's starting to BITE the dust.  I'm wondering if I should "makeover" my Dell and UPGRADE some software...or just buy a new computer.  I don't have alot of money so that's kinda the reason I'm considering a makeover.

My Dell has a Pentium 4 processor, 2.8 GHz with 512 MB RAM.  It's running Windows XP.  I wasn't planning on adding any hardware to it, just upgrading Microsoft Office because I think I have a crappy bootleg version of Word.
My issues are, I don't believe the wireless networking works so I would want to get that looked at and it might have a few bugs here and there...nothing SERIOUS...but I would want the computer to be working like new so I would want it entirely cleaned up.  I called a local computer guy and he said the "makeover" of upgrading Microsoft Office and to reset the computer would be about $150.  Sounds good so far, but I'm afraid he will find other things wrong, it will cost more, and then I might as well just get a new computer.

Does my Dell SOUND like complete crap because it's probably 7 years old?  Would it be worth hanging on to??  oh...an addition, if I upgraded, I would end up getting a new flat monitor because the CRT I have now weighs about as much as me and is gigantic!!  so that
s another $100 towards it.

Thanks for any opinons or ideas!

Your Dell computer has almost the same specs as my Dell dimension 2400. Its running with only 1 gig or RAM for browsing, emails and has a Microsoft Office 2003 installed which runs fairly for just specific computer usage. The original Dell flat monitor is still ALSO running w/out a hitch. I would think of purchasing a Microsoft Office retail disc compatible with your XP system and upgrading another gig of RAM. Then try to fit your budget maybe a 17" to 20"  flat monitor. You might also like to try OpenOffice.