Desktops forum: Customized Vs Retail Desktops

Because you will probably want to have an idea of an exact model, here is the HP that I am currently considering

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-Pavilion-Desktop-PC-A6152N/sem/rpsm/oid/185479/catOid/-12962/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Are there any decent computers around with a Quad core processor that are reasonably priced? Is Quad core a technology that is worth waiting until it is more avail or will the Core 2 duo be just as good?

What do you intend to use the computer for? How big is your budget? Answer these questions and you are well on your way to making a decision.

For processing power, Quad Core is better than Dual Core and scales approximately linear (i.e. approaches 2X). But for current "everyday" applications like word processing, email, and web surfing very little performance gains (if any) will be noticed. On the other hand, if you intend to play cutting edge games then such an investment would be worthwhile.

You can't really future proof since hardware changes, in particular, are so rapid in the computing industry. It appears, however, that you are willing to spend around $1000 for the system - would that need to include a monitor? Depending on your needs a Dual Core PC may be just as suitable as a Quad Core with costing quite a bit less.

If you are considering getting a Quad Core unit then I would suggest waiting a bit longer until AMD releases their Quads so the pricing war can swing into full gear and you, the consumer, can benefit accordingly.

Retail vs Custom. It appears that you really mean buying a Dell or HP with either:
A basic fixed configuration (perhaps through a retail channel partner like BestBuy)
or
Requesting some customized configuration changes to a Dell or HP (via their on-line ordering website).
For the consumer models, Dell seems to allow more configuration flexibility both during and after you acquire your PC but you may get a pricing edge from the HP models. For example, the Dell Inspiron 530 and Inspiron 531 PCs each has an available internal bay for adding an optional second Hard Drive and the motherboard also has on-board RAID capability. Furthermore, Dell's parts pricing are now quite competitive with the rest of the market.

Customization, however, can cause some delays. If you use the options provided in the automated on-line ordering process then you should be fine. However, the "fine print" does state that selecting an add-in video card such as the NVIDIA Geforce 7300LE can cause an additional delay of a few days.

There are, of course, other customization alternatives such as building the system yourself or using a local PC Vendor. Either of these will give you greater control over what components go into the PC but will also be more expensive.

Hope this helps.

I am typing this on a 2002 HP desktop computer which has been problem free, and has never required a single repair. My next computer will also be an HP

My previous computer was a Dell, and I will never buy another Dell computer.

Others must agree - HP's market share is rapidly growing, while Dell's market share is shrinking.

For Notebooks, try Toshiba. I've had acceptable support from them since purchasing a fairly high-end notebook a couple of years ago.
But the author of this post isn't looking for a notebook.

As I mentioned, I too have had issues with HP support, but that was with printers. Their service used to be legendary, but, sadly, not anymore. And I've seen so many user forums with complaints about Dell that I wonder what Michael's up to these days (I did consulting for him back in the late '80's and early '90's).

Going the route I did (see my previous post here) is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you get to choose every component and can evaluate them for performance and compatibility before you buy. On the other, you need to deal with the service departments of multiple vendors, not just one.

Screw your HP....... and leave use Dell pros.

If you buy retail, you run the risk of being stuck for years with the configuration you bought. I bought a space-agey Compaq Presario once a long time ago that boasted a ginormous 3 gigabyte hard drive. The drive was obsolete in months, of course, but thanks to a special code Compaq put on it, it couldn't be upgraded. And thanks to a faulty controller driver, a second hard drive couldn't be added. Oh yeah, the Compaq also resisted upgrading from Windows 95 to Windows 98.

A lot of friends had similar experiences. We bought a retail machine thinking we could upgrade it over time, only to hit a wall. I think retail computers are meant for people who are happy with what comes out of the box.

Don't be fooled by specs. I'm guessing you mean hard drive space, RAM, maybe chip speed and video card. I don't really see much difference between Dell and the major retailers' sale prices anyway. And you definitely want to stay away from some of the cheapest brands - both online and in stores - for obvious reasons.

When I got rid of my Compaq (the company later merged with HP, by the way) I bought a Dell with the second-fastest chip they offered and a middle-size hard drive. I kept the RAM to a minimum and resisted all the other add-ons. Since picking it up five years ago I've found that I can easily upgrade anything on the Dell with stuff I catch on sale at the local stores or online. It's not the fastest thing out there, but it runs Doom 3, Vista Aero and everything else I throw at it.

So, my advice: stick with someone you trust (I'm good with Dell, you might prefer your geek uncle) and start out with a barebones machine with a good motherboard and chipset. Then get yourself a screwdriver and watch for the Sunday ads!

... or indeed, drop an additional video card into a Dell XPS 720.

If you are thinking of a customized system, then building it yourself is best -- if you have both the skills and the time (just don't expect to save money in doing so). But if you go to a local shop, be very careful; there are good shops that will give you exactly what you want, and there are others. I have had experience with both. To guard against the latter, put everything, in detail, into writing and get it signed by the shop owner or manager. Also, research every component in order to make intelligent choices (e.g., ending up with a case that takes 15 minutes and three hands to get into is not fun).

Even if you don't need full customization, some is generally desirable. You may want to choose processor speed, RAM, drive types and capacities, video capabilities, etc., etc. Be sure you get a full Windows disk also, not just a restore disk. Such simi-customization is usually available, within limits, if you buy directly from a main-stream manufacturer. I have obtained several such semi-customized Dells, and have been generally satisfied. Some semi-customization is also available from full-service stores (such as Best Buy, CompUSA, etc.), either as special order or in-store upgrades -- but watch out for extra charges. Don't expect any degree of customization for low-end systems or machines bought through general retail such as Costco, WalMart, Target, etc.

I also agree with an earlier post regarding quad-core. Until software, both OS and Apps, is available to fully support them, they are not worth the money. If you are thnking of the future, your machine may be approaching obsolescence in other aspects before much supportive software will be available.

Hope this helps some

Frank

Hmm i am hoping AMD comes good with its new line of quad cores and like a poster said - start a price war and consumers would be the ones to gain out of it :P I am hoping we may see AMD quads gradually compete and even surpass Intel in the near future and give us the little guys on the ground more options :P Something tells me that with time its acquisition of ATI could possibly give it an edge in the gaming rig department....