Desktops forum: Poll: When it comes to a new PC, do you build or buy?

I only use Macs so I can't build a system myself, but I usually will custom configure any Mac I buy on Apple's website.

I always head to Dell outlet http://www.dell.com/outlet and see what is available there. I've done this for my last 4 pc's (and two gift pc's!) and have not been disappointed. You can choose processor, chassis, peripherals, etc. If something is not quite right, it is easy/cheap enough to replace. I hate to sound like a commercial, but I do love it.

My first computer was build to spec. I've never bought off the shelf or through a site like Dell.

After that I built my own. It isn't difficult. You get exactly what you want at the budget you can afford and there's a certain amount of pride when you can say, "Hey I did it myself."

Plus you know exactly what you have and what it's capable of...and most importantly how to fix it!!!!

Being an Indian it is unimaginable to possess a MAC because of the lack of support and cost. An assembled PC gives me options of my choice as to the hardware configurations. But for a MAC it is fixed I understand. I belong to Kerala state in India, in a small village

My first computer was a digital group. That's a kit where you solder the parts on the cards.
My first IBM style was an XP running at 8.00 Mhz. it was complete except for the drive. The display card was trouble and had to be replaced. Now I replace my motherboard about every three years.
I can't afford a whole computer at once. I keep adding hard drives HDTV cards etc. Finally I made other computers from cast off parts from my main computer. My next addition will be Windows 7 64bit. Stuff that won't work or I have no use for go to Good Will.

There are plenty of how to sites available, excellent sources of materials online, and in the end when one builds it then you know it well enough to fix it.

I buy mine off the shelf. But I'm special anyway.

(smirk)

Is there an emoticon for a smug expression?

I'm disabled so this time I had a nearby person build it.

If you can find someone, perhaps you can "borrow" someone's hands. That is, you decide what parts to order, and provide the expertise to guide another person who performs the tasks your movement disorders prevent you from doing yourself. If you can find a knowledgeable person, so much the better; you will have someone to "talk shop" with. You might find one by calling a contact at a local group, putting up ads on the bulletin boards of local computer shops, or just calling the shops, and asking one of the tech people if they know anyone in your area that might be willing to join you in the building of your PC.

I strongly recommend Newegg as a parts source. Superb service, selection, and prices. They have a good reputation for accepting reasonable returns. Their user reviews sometimes contain helpful tips, and many components have links to the manufacturer's pages where you can find additional information, download user manuals before you buy, etc.

Good luck.
Allen

I build my own pc, because nobody think the way I do about my needs and hopes on it, and I personally think to build your own pc is a work of love, and requires a lot of time and knowledge, that any company have it, its just bussiness for them...

My PC's have the features I need--and none of the "crap" I don't need--because they're designed and manufactured by me.

When you buy an "off-the-shelf" computer such as HP/Compaq, Gateway, Emachines, etc you are getting a box filled with parts from whatever vendor was offering the lowest price this week. Since cost is the overriding concern, reliability is not something the manufacturer worries about--except of course that they want most of the machines to outlast the 1-year warranty and then drop dead as quickly as possible after that. While the computer is working, it comes with lots of "garbage software" on there to slow it down, and the OS and application software you've paid for are on a hidden "recovery partition"; no disks are provided. Once it breaks down, the repair costs are outrageously high, and the software you've paid for will not function on a different PC.

When you build your own computer, you are free to install quality parts that will provide years of reliable usage. You can install a quality power supply, quality motherboard, quality optical drives and hard drives, and so on. You are also able to obtain features that the "big boys" such as Dell and HP/Compaq no longer wish to provide, such as a built-in floppy drive, serial and parallel ports, and so on. And of course there's no "garbage software" to slow things down, and all of the software comes on genuine OEM disks purchased from the reseller where you bought the computer parts. If for some reason your custom PC breaks down, or you need to upgrade, the software you've paid for can still be installed and used.

And the cost savings of purchasing a brand name "ready-made" PC versus buying the parts yourself (which are vastly superior in quality) is not that much. Rather than pinch a few pennies and go with an OEM box that isn't going to last, I'd rather pay a little bit more and use the best quality parts so I can have a computer that will last for years to come.

I build it my myself from scrap parts. I find cheap parts and old computers, tear them down, and use the best parts to build one. I then find cheap software, or free software, and I am up and running. I keep the same operating system, just change the hardware.

When it comes to PC's, in the rare occasion that I'm in the mood for one, I prefer to build. Not only is it something cool and different to do, but I also know what which parts I'm using and can expect it to work perfectly (most of the time) ...unlike Dell and others that are like the Wal-Mart of computers, they shop the cheapest parts and make them available at a low price (which could be a good thing).

...also in the rare occasion that I need to purchase a PC laptop for myself or business, I would only purchase a Sony Vaio. Not only is a Vaio stylish, but Sony also offers the best LCD quality, great performance and amazing US based tech support.

Most of the time I would only purchase a Mac, and do configure them on Apple's website. ...if I could build a Mac I would, but I can live with not doing that since they are nearly perfect.

Friends of mine are spending well over $1000 on new macs and on new high end PCs. I looked into parts costs, then decided to have ago at building my own. Now, I should make it clear that I have zilch practical skills. Nonetheless it was dead easy.
Bought (mostly on eBay, and prices are in Australian dollars)
Case $70 (turned out to have noisy fan and ps, so worst part of deal
High end dual bios Gigabyte Motherboard, $120
2 Sata hard drives totalling 1gB, a bit over $100
Dvd drive $20
OS-windaz xp, $50

No problems at all (untill i tried gigabyte's bios update)

well, the pcs from most companies, have built in sound card, graphics, that doesn't have true performance,
i highly recommend that you buy the components and give them to hardware shop and let me build you a dream machine for you.