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#11
I prefer to build my own system, no crapware for one, and 2, highly customisable. :)
Build
Buy
I agree with Barman. I've only had one computer (that was solely mine) and have built on or around it ever since...
PP,
I too have found that the Dell machines will fill need for decent specced systems
I always purchased through their Business section so it was often almost as good as building myself.
The advantage to this method for me was that due to Dell's multinational nature wherever the system ended up in the world there would be local hardware support.
An important consideration due to the end use of the systems as components in industrial control systems
The last system I purchased was an HP a6457c (Phenom X3) and it's hideous. Almost all components are sub-par at best. The PSU, CPU, motherboard are horrible. The CPU is in the process of dying as we speak after one year. It was a "refurbished" system but I expected more than a year from it.
Build pretty much everything, that way you get exactly what you want with the quality components you can afford.
The biggest unintended benefit to building your own system is that once you have done it (once or twice), you will NEVER EVER have to pay anyone the $100 (USD) Fee for just "looking" at your computer when it has a "problem" and does not work. You will be able to fix it yourself (well...maybe with a little online help now and again).
How many people (friends or family) do you know that are afraid to even "look" inside their computer cases, for fear of voiding the warranty. They think the inside of the computer is VOODOO and way beyond their comprehension. We all know that nothing could be further than the truth.
Besides, by spending $50 - $100 a year (usually) you can replace older components, and for a while keep your computer pretty much up-to-date.
Freedom from the (GeekSquad, Bestbuy, Frys, CompUSA, etc) !!!!!
I've built computers since the early 90's and at that time building was significantly cheaper than buying. However when Dell came out with sub $500 desktops the profit margins were gone.
I would say, look at your exact needs and price out one through major players like, HP, IBM and Dell. Make sure you also look at their refurb section which tend to be just as good as brand new.
Then I would look at pricing out the components and see where you lie.
My current computer is a Dell Optiplex 755 Mini-Tower which I bought at Dell refurb for $350.00. Added a video card and more ram and it's a darn good machine for the $500 I paid. However my wife needs a new computer soon and we'll be giving her my Optiplex 755 and I'll be building a new computer to fit my Photography needs whereas when I bought the 755, I just needed a new computer for a cheap price.
I always build my desktops for the money, fun and experience of it.
Good luck, based on the vote most people build here.
But it is a biased poll because most of these users are often quite tech savvy.
I see I am just about the only one who believes it is cheaper to buy a computer. I agree that it is nice to know exactly what is inside your system, and that a homemade rig can look better. My experiences are in the $600-700 range. I know for the machine I built, I could have saved myself $50 from buying it from Dell.
Other than the two original IBM PCs, my family's only bought Dells (up to 7 now!). My parents recently purchased an iMac, though, and I have an iMac g3 in my apartment.
I've occasionally added RAM, but Dells have always been satisfactory.They come with OS/driver discs, and are usually on the inexpensive side. Every single computer in my house is operable, and with a success streak like that, we/I don't really have a reason to build.
tech savvy != build your own
No, you aren't alone in this thought. There was a time, 10 years ago when it was ALWAYS cheaper to build your own. However, in modern times with fierce competition and tons of options....depending upon the configuration it can be almost impossible to build for less than you can buy.
With some of the Dells and the HP's at the $400-$700 price points....when they come with monitors, speakers, OS, keyboard, mouse, etc....it's hard to match spec for spec and come out cheaper.
When you are usually talking high end gaming rigs and the like...the manufacturers do charge a hefty premium and it's almost always possible to beat their prices when you build yourself.
Some will argue that the parts you buy will always be of higher quality. However, for those attempting to build a PC for rock bottom prices...they often scrimp on many components and some of the things they buy aren't even to the level of quality that a manufacturer would use who offers a warranty and has to stand behind it.
For many, building is a sense of pride and accomplishment. And for many, that is more important in the end than the exact amount of money spent along the way.