So maybe you’re wondering….. which is better for your money — store bought or custom built computers?
Well, it really depends upon what you are trying to do with that machine, and how long you want to keep it. First off, a store bought machine can be a great value….. as long as you aren’t planning on doing too many upgrades in the future. All of those “on-board” or “integrated” components basically just mean that if one component breaks, you can’t remove it… you just have to disable it, and add another to replace it. So now you would have two of the same part in your machine, only one isn’t working. Another thing to consider when you buy a store-bought machine is the warranty. Yes, you can buy an extended warranty that gives you great coverage, but you have to take into consideration that that’s just an extra expense to add onto your bill. If you don’t get that extended warranty, then you have only the manufacturer’s warranty, andyou will probably be stuck sending in your machine to some other state, then waiting for weeks to get it back. And in order to make a claim, you will be making a call to the technical support line for Dell or HP or other reputable companies (and let me tell you, that isn’t fun….. it’s hard enough to explain the issue you are having, and even harder to explain it to someone that you can hardly understand). All of your store-bought machines are pre-manufactured, and really are not too customizable, so you are stuck either getting more or less than you need. And not having what you need in terms of speed can cost you some time down the road.
On to custom built-machines… you basically tell the builder what you are going to do with the machine, what speed you are looking to get out of it, and how likely it is that you will be doing future upgrades. With this information, the builder can help you pick out a motherboard/processor combination, the amount of RAM (memory) you need to suit your applications, and what will be the most dependable machine that will provide for your future needs. The warranty that comes with the custom-built computers should also include on-site service for the duration of the manufacturer’s warranty period. The builder you choose should also be able to offer you an extended warranty for an extra charge, but will also include on-site service.
It’s really up to you which would better suit your needs now and in the future, store-bought or custom built. Just remember that you should always ask questions before you buy.
