Should I buy an off-the-shelf (brand
name) computer, or a custom built computer?
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Well, the simple answer is a custom built computer,
naturally. I build them! But, besides putting food
in my children's mouths, let me explain why a custom built computer
is better for you.
Off-the-shelf (brand name) computer manufacturers have a distinct
disadvantage. In order for them to compete, they have to
make tons of computers, all alike. They have to compete
with each other because all the major brands are trying for your
dollars. They are also hoping you dont look under the hood.
In order to compete, they have to lower the quality of the parts
used to put these boxes together. They also have to use
something most computer-savvy people do not like- proprietary
parts and all-in-one (integrated) motherboards. This means
replacement parts are much more expensive than their open-architecture
counterparts, and it also means sound, video, Ethernet, and sometimes
even the modem are built on to the motherboard. At first
glance you may think that sounds like a good idea, but there are
a number of reasons why this is not a good build in a computer.
First, if the integrated component fails, it may require the replacement
of the entire motherboard. While sometimes you can simply
add a replacement card (ie- a video card or Ethernet card), this
is not always the case. Some configurations do not allow
disabling the on-board components. Depending on how a component
fails, it could take out the whole motherboard. Replacing the
component would not work if the whole motherboard is dead. We
have had to replace several motherboards because the on-board
video or the on-board Ethernet failed. Next, in most cases,
the on-board components are very much a substandard component.
A typical example would be the on-board video.
A decent video card has to have a least 32MB of Video RAM (VRAM).
High-end graphics or gaming cards have as much as 128MB of VRAM.
VRAM is much faster than the system RAM we all use in our computers-
and consequently much more expensive. Many on-board video components
typically only have 2MB or 4MB of VRAM. This means you will
not be able to display the resolution or number of colors you
want. Also, many on-board configurations have no VRAM at
all. They use System RAM! We already know that system
RAM is not as fast as VRAM, so the display will not be as responsive.
Also, when you are using system RAM for your video, you have less
RAM available for your system! That 128MB of RAM you have
really might be only 120MB of available RAM. If you like computer
games or do high-end graphics or multimedia, you simply cannot
use on-board video with any real degree of satisfaction.
Another area where the brand name computers lack is in the hard
drives. Many use the cheapest hard drives they can find.
Cheap hard drives equal lost data. How important is your
data to you? How important will it be a year from now?
How much will you have to pay to recover the lost data- if it
is recoverable at all? What about the hassle of reloading
all your programs, all your settings, your emails and the address
book, the bookmarks, your documents and pictures? Do you
even have all of your installation disks anymore? If they are
not backed up (and most people simply do not back them up), they
are gone forever. While all drives can fail, why add to
the risk by using a cheap drive? A+ Computer Service, Inc
uses only high quality drives like Western Digital. After all,
the single most important part of your computer is the hard drive-
it is where all of your data is!
One area I am still amazed at in brand name computers is the power
supply. A typical power supply in brand name computers ranges
from about 200 watts down to an amazingly low 65 watts!
In the case of power supplies, the more watts the better!
What this means to you is you may not have the power you need
to run your computer if you add an extra hard drive, more RAM,
a CD-burner, etc. Literally everything you install in your
computer requires power- whether it be a RAM stick or a second
hard drive. A+ Computer Service, Inc never uses anything less
than 300 watts. Sometimes we go even higher, depending on
the needs of the client.
Another issue is the proprietary nature of the components in brand
name computers. This means if a proprietary component fails,
you have to buy it from the manufacturer or a special source-
if it is even available- and at a premium price I might add!
We had a client whose floppy drive failed. This is a common
item to fail, and should run about 15 bucks for a replacement.
In this case however, the front bezel was quite rounded and the
eject button needed to be about an inch and a half long to reach
through it. The only difference between the proprietary floppy
drive and a generic floppy drive was the length of the eject button.
Most eject buttons are about a quarter inch to a half inch long.
The cost of a replacement drive was over a hundred dollars, and
would take about a week to get in. That was quite a difference
from the typical 15 dollar part. Another case was a brand name
computer- the power supply was fried by lightning. A typical ATX
power supply should be around 40 bucks. This ATX power supply
was proprietary and cost the client $160.00 and had to be air
shipped in from San Diego! Keep in mind, if the power supply was
proprietary, than the motherboard had to be proprietary as well.
So, that proprietary motherboard likely would be considerably
more (perhaps two or three times more) than a standard motherboard.
Another issue with brand name computer is the factory load.
You are stuck with whatever Operating System they give you.
Most people did not want to have WindowsME, but it was on their
computer when they bought it, so they are stuck with it- unless
they want to purchase and install another Operating System for
a few hundred dollars more. Today, most people do not really
want Windows XP Home either. But, you have little choice in the
matter. They know what is best for you. What about all those extra
CDs you get with your brand name computer? Well, I can tell
you with a custom built computer you are less likely to get all
those fun CDs. But then, what are those CDs anyway?
Are you going to use all of them? Probably not! Most
people do not use the recipe software, few will use the encyclopedias
(more up-to-date information is on the web anyway), and few will
use the money management and home inventory programs that come
with their brand name computers.
With a custom built computer- whether A+ Computer Service, Inc
builds it for you or some other competent tech builds it, you
should get what you want. You should get a motherboard without
all the on-board components. You should get at least a 300
watt power supply. You should have all off-the-shelf components-
nothing proprietary. It should be completely upgradeable
and replaceable- without having to go back the manufacturer.
You should get the operating system you want, not what the manufacturer
tells you to have.
Another consideration is total cost of ownership.
While it may be cheaper to use an integrated motherboard, it is
certainly not cheaper to replace one. When lightning strikes,
you will be replacing a $200 motherboard rather than a $30 modem
or a $20 network card. When your floppy drive or power supply
dies, you will pay as much as 5 times the cost to replace that
proprietary part- if it is still being manufactured.
We have had customers ask me to build those
cheap $500.00 computers for them. There were each surprized when
we politely refused. They could not understand how we could turn
down a sale- until we told them why. Our name goes on each computer.
We have to support each computer. When a cheap one fails (and
they do!) who is the customer going to get mad at?
Oh, and one other thing- many people think
brand name computers equals a better warranty or better service.
Better think again! Many brand name computers now have as little
as a 90 day warranty, and no more free technical support after
as little as 30 days- after that you pay by the minute!
Finally, it is important to understand this simple fact of computers-
the average functional lifespan of a computer today is between
2 and 4 years. Now, does that mean the computer will die in that
time? No, it simply means the technology changes so fast, it will
pass you by. You will not be able to run new software or hardware
devices on older machines. As today, although there are still
many 486 and Pentium I computers still running, you cannot install
Windows XP on them, nor can you run modern video cards or other
devices on the. Don't even think of upgrading it to a Pentium
4! The cheaper the machine, the lower end of the functional lifespan
you will be in. Those $500.00 machines of today will not be able
to keep up in a year or two- despite their claims of upgradability.
So, on one hand, you can buy those $500-$800 brand name computers
and replace it with a new one every couple of years, or you can
buy a decent well built custom computer and upgrade it as far
as technology will allow every 4 or 5 years or so.
Yours for Service,
A+ Computer Service, Inc
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