So you want a new computer. Or perhaps new to you. Does it have to be brand new? It doesn’t always. Sometimes new isn’t always the best thing for your budget. There are many things to consider when buying or building a computer.
Buying a brand new brand name computer can be the very simple solution to many people seeking to own a computer or upgrade their current. For instance, if you already own a brand name computer, many times your only true upgrade path is to start from scratch. This is true of many computers nowadays that come in small form factors. Yes, small is cute, but it’s not the most practical.
Buying a new computer has these distinct advantages. You only have to worry about one purchase. Software is preloaded and ready to go. Often times you can get special deals that include discounted or at times even free extras such as monitor upgrades and printers. I wish I received a free printer when I built my computer.
Another thing to consider for the not so tech savvy is the support. Most brand name computers include warranties and technical support. My advice on the matter of extended warranties and support contracts is that you should always purchase the longest most inclusive one you can afford. For example Dell typically offers a 1 year or a 3 year plan. If you can afford the 3 year plan, do it. This can save you a lot of hassle and will often times escalate your support call (should you need to make one) to a priority status. Also, and speaking from personal experience, Dell often offers at home technical support that may seem pricey at the time of purchase, but should you need it, it is incredibly fast and convenient.
Building your own PC can be equally as rewarding if not more so. Having complete control of every part and piece of software that is installed has it’s advantages as well. This is not only comforting as you will know what is really “under the hood” as is not always clear in the name brand computers (as parts are often relabelled or re-branded to mask their original manufacturer.) This will also give you the complete knowledge of your true upgrade path. Often times with name branded computers such as HP and Dell, computers are sold as “upgradeable.” Bear in mind that upgradeable is a very loose term.
For example. If you purchase an “upgradeable” Dell computer, what exactly is upgradeable? Sure you can always add more ram, a bigger or even another hard drive, perhaps swap out your optical drive. Those technologies are usually very interchangeable. What you don’t (maybe) know is that these computers often ship with very limited motherboards. Especially if you purchased a computer with integrated video (watch out for those words “integrated video” whenever shopping for a computer.) Integrated video means that the computers graphics processor is built into the motherboard as opposed to being a separate component that can be removed, replaced, or otherwise upgraded. This is detrimental to anyone who may want to play next years or in most cases this years latest game without incredibly choppy performance or having to minimize the video settings within the game. The higher you can run the video settings, the better that game will look and feel. Lower settings might work, but often times kill the joy of having the latest game.
So what exactly is this motherboard and why is it so important? The motherboard of a computer is essentially the backbone or spinal cord of the computer. The CPU is the brain, but without the motherboard a CPU is worthless. The Motherboard is what connects all of the devices inside of a computer together and controls directly each device. Now if a motherboard is limited, what that means is that as with several models provided to major system distributors (I.E. Dell, HP, etc..) the motherboard is only capable of supporting a very small group of CPUs. Remember, the CPU equals the brain. The faster, or bigger, as it’s sometimes referred as, the better. So if you purchase a computer in-which the CPU range is 2.8GHz to 3.2GHz (only 400Mhz, aim for 500Mhz to 1000Mhz upgradeability), your CPU upgradeability is rather limited. This is not good for someone who wants maximum longevity out of their brand new computer. Also, if your motherboard has Integrated Video often times it will not have the necessary slots to support an upgraded video card. This is actually less of a problem more recently but still something to look for.
Building a PC also allows you to completely customize the software that is installed onto it. Granted this is often more expensive as each piece of software will most like be purchased separately (as with brand name computers it is bundled into the price already.) However a finer point of this is that brand name computers ship with too much software. Too much software? How could it be. I’ll explain it. Too much software means that not only is that Dell shipping with the Windows XP (or now Vista) OS you requested, as well as the Microsoft Office Software you requested, but it is also shipping with around 10 to 20 trial software programs. These trial software programs are programs that you did not necessarily request and often “clog” the system running or when their trials run out, harassing you with countless pop-ups reminding you they have run out or that they are running out. Once those reminders are finished they consistently harass you to purchase their full versions. Finally… a lot of this software can be very difficult to remove once you are finally tired of being “pressure sold” on it. Remember… Trial Software BAD.
Finally, building a PC can be rewarding, but is usually more expensive that purchasing a PC outright with all of it’s included price points. A brand name PC comes at a much higher upfront cost, whereas a built PC can be purchased part by part over time. Purchasing a brand name PC requires very little effort whereas building a PC requires a bit of research, effort, and courage. The choice is yours.
