- What PC Should I Buy?

Should you buy a pre-built computer or should should you have someone build you one?

Actually there are reasons for either option. Here are a few postive and negative points for purchasing a pre-built computer or having someone you know build one for you:

Good

Bad

Pre-built Computer (or purchasing a pre-assembled computer from a company, either over the Internet or in a store.) (Examples of these types of computers would be: HP (Compaq is owned by HP), Dell, Toshiba, VooDoo, Alienware, Commodore Gaming, etc.):

  • Usually get more software included free.

  • BIOS updates may be free.

  • Equipment has been tested to work together.

  • Obtaining drivers for the devices in the computer is usually very easy since you simply look up the model of your computer on the company website.

  • Warranty will be the same for the entire computer.

  • Sending the computer in for repair to the manufacturer helps to ensure they will repair it since all components were provided by them.

  • May get software you don't want.

  • Get less hardware for your money.

  • The components in the computer may not have drivers for different versions of Windows so you may not be able to load Windows XP if you don't like Vista.

  • You usually do not get a Windows CD with the computer. If you get a CD at all it is usually a “restore” CD.

  • If what you want is a laptop computer then you must purchase a pre-assembled computer. Laptop computers cannot be assembled like a desktop model.

Someone assemble a computer for you (such as a friend or co-worker buys the parts and assembles the computer at home.) (Additional Note: A computer that someone assembles for you may be what is called a "barebones" computer which means they have purchased a computer which contains a case, system board, possibly the CPU and nothing else, they then purchase and install each other required component separately.):

  • You usually get more hardware for your money.

  • Replacement parts may be cheaper because they are not proprietary.

  • Since you purchase the Operating System separately then you get an actual Microsoft Operating System CD.

  • If you are a college student at a public college then you may get the Operating System for only $5.00. This would save money since the Operating System's cost (usually around $100.00) is built into the price of a pre-built computer.

  • You can install what you want when the computer is first set up.

  • BIOS updates are usually not free.

  • Obtaining drivers for the devices in the computer may not be very easy since you may need to go to different company websites to download the proper drivers for your operating system.

  • Equipment has not been tested to work together.

  • Repair may be harder, especially if you do not know how to work on computers. This is due to the fact that one company may say the problem is due to another device in the computer which was made from a different company. (Pushing the blame to someone else).

  • Warranty may be different for each component of the computer.

If you have decided to go with the option of having a friend assemble a computer for you then make sure to purchase all you can afford. In addition, make sure you check the prices of the components yourself on the Internet so you know the person isn't making tons of profit on you. Note: Some profit is expected when assembling a computer simply because of the time involved, but I would recommend a set amount and not a set amount plus making money on each part unless this person is running a full computer shop.

If you decide to go with a pre-built computer then actually, I can't give you an exact brand to purchase. The reason for this is I know people who have had Dell, HP, Toshiba, among other brands. who really like them and their service, but I also know people who have had them, dealt with their service and had bad experiences. Due to this, I cannot recommend a specific brand. Really, each brand has good and bad points. Make sure you purchase all you can afford.

Why do I say to purchase all you can afford? Well, let us say that you purchase a computer now with 8GB of RAM. That may be a lot for today's standard, but within a few years it will probably be standard and buying the lesser amount may require you to upgrade your computer or possibly replace it within just a few years. On the other hand, if you are and plan on only using your computer for word processing and accessing the Internet then the lesser amount may be fine. It simply depends on what you will be doing with your computer. Playing high-end graphical games requires more power.

Here are a few things you definitely want to be aware of: