How many people here actually build their computers?

[dirtboy]

I used to build my own computers and help my friends build theirs. Occasionally I sold hand built computers. When I was a network admin I built them for awhile and then later ordered custom built computers.

Now I buy Dell's and I haven't bought a new computer for personal use in 2 years... and I don't know when I'll be needing to replace it.

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: Ornery
The "computing experience" this system offers is substandard...

What a load of stinkin' shlt. You CAN'T match that deal building it yourself, and it's 3 times the speed and stability of computers that are being replaced by it! Those wondrous machines being replaced WERE custom built, and NOT worth upgrading at all right now. BFD to that logic. The Dell deal IS upgradable, despite previous attempts to discredit it, and for the EXACT same prices you'll pay to upgrade a custom machine, because the parts come from the same source!

Honestly, a few FPS in a GD video game only worth so much, and I've YET to see anybody mention how much they've actually wasted in that pursuit.




/me looks at the poll results... hmmm, the message is clear

If you can, or regularly do build computers, but bought off-the-shelf for some reason, I suppose that qualifies as a yes.

The poll is idiotic without a choice for, "I would NEVER buy an off-the-shelf box." As it is, the majority in the Yes column could easily answer, "I can, and have built PCs of many configurations, but am smart enough to buy a pre-built when they're practically being given away!"

That's the one I pick!!

 

[AnonymouseUser]

I thought the Dell was supposed to be a complete system, yet I keep hearing that for $XX it can be fixed (possibly voiding the warranty in the process). Did I miss something?

The worst part is that while you guys might fix it if you bought it for yourself, you point your dear < insert random family member > at Dell and wipe your hands of it, leaving them with a horrible underperformer.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: AnonymouseUser
I thought the Dell was supposed to be a complete system, yet I keep hearing that for $XX it can be fixed (possibly voiding the warranty in the process). Did I miss something?

The worst part is that while you guys might fix it if you bought it for yourself, you point your dear < insert random family member > at Dell and wipe your hands of it, leaving them with a horrible underperformer.

That's because for our needs it may not be adequate, but for family and friends who don't do nearly as much, it's more than adequate. How you fail to see that is beyond me.

I highly doubt my mother is going to be writing a program in Java/C++, listening to MP3s, have BT open, and burn a DVD at the same time.

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: AnonymouseUser
I thought the Dell was supposed to be a complete system, yet I keep hearing that for $XX it can be fixed (possibly voiding the warranty in the process). Did I miss something?

The worst part is that while you guys might fix it if you bought it for yourself, you point your dear < insert random family member > at Dell and wipe your hands of it, leaving them with a horrible underperformer.

You are such a tool. Why would ANYBODY buy upgrades if they don't need them? Why would anybody NOT buy the upgrades from a third party for less money, if they do? If you're replacing a four or five year old PC of any caliber, HTF could this be considered an "underperformer", especially when your only alternative involves spending a LOT more money, for no good reason? I can already see where my friends & family are FAR better off asking me for help, than you spendthrifts!

 

[mwtgg]

Originally posted by: shilala
I build my own stuff because I enjoy learning and I enjoy building.
I can constantly upgrade my rig with top quality parts at a fraction of the price I'd pay out for a high performance Dell rig.
I do a lot of graphics intense stuff and game on my machine, so building makes sense.

Take my wife and 14 year old daughter...
14 year old masecrates the english language on ICQ, listens to music and shops. She does that just fine on her old Compaq that someone left behind at one of our rentals. She's a perfect fit for a Deal Hot Deal.
My wife emails, looks for recipes, and makes greeting cards on her rig. It's an Antec Aria/2500 Barton/512mb/200GB/DVDRW. The DVD burner has never burned a disc. There's about 12 GB of info stored.
It's a waste. She's perfect for a Dell Hot Deal.
My 8 year old daughter likes to game, burn cd's, edit pics, and commonly has lots of apps going at once. She gets my old parts, so when I upgrade, she upgrades. She'll always need a custom machine to keep up with what she does. The more she learns, the more power she needs. She's my partner in geekdom.

Sorry, I couldn't help but notice that...

 

[TGS]

I did a part for part listed comparision, so I didn't know what mobo equivliant we would be looking at. Although we are crying symantics over $100 and the box I listed would be faster overall.

Originally posted by: Special K


Granted the CPU is faster and the vidcard is slightly faster (from the quick glance I did at the benchmarks) but I'm not a hardcore gamer so it's not a huge deal to me.

This is the main contention point. The gamers see the deal box for what it is, an internet appliance. The Dell purchasers see the Dell for what it is, a cheap step into a fully functionally albeit slower computer.

If you aren't a gamer and could give two hoots about overall performance, IE Office taks, Internet, Email, etc. The dell box is a great deal. For those that want an upgrade path, beyond what Dell offers. You still have to part together you own solution.

Why would I recommend a Dell for someone with no computer knowledge. They at least have support. That is one of the value adds a company like Dell *has* to have to be competitive in it's environment. If they don't have some sort of bonus beyond what everyone else offers (mostly an inexpensive product) then there would be no reason to even consider Dell.

 

[Bozono]

Originally posted by: NissanGurl
100% home grown.

Check2-Where the hell the Seedlings run off to?

 

[pbaker]

my main pc is a laptop from dell, but i built my media pc from scratch.

 

[jspeicher]

built a couple desktops for gaming, sold them and now i'm solely using a dell 6000 notebook. nice and simple