WHAT KIND OF COMPUTER WOULD THE AVERAGE JOE WANT?

[Maverick2002]

To make a long story shorter, I'm starting up a local computer shop, building custom systems, charging a bit for the labor and selling them. All the details are being worked out. The main question is this though: what kind of system would the average joe want (as in, what to advertise), and how much would an "average" system cost? Seeing as how I can build systems in any price range, I'd like to know what a normal person would pay, and what the specs should be. For instance, how many people know about the advantages of the Duron over the Celeron, and how many will believe it? No matter how many benchmarks you show some just don't get it. Questions like this. Any suggestions? I can list a few configurations if that helps any .....

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

IMHO (and by that I mean, that I have no experience in the field), you should advertise 3 rigs.

- Top of the line, non-SCSI computer (Athlon 1900+, 512 MB or more RAM, GF3Ti500, 100 GB HD, Logitech speakers, Audigy platinum,etc.)

- Bang-for-the buck, AthlonXP ~1500+, 256 MB RAM, GF3 Ti200,40 GB hd, TB Santa Cruz

- El Cheapo, Duron @ 900 GHz or 1GHz, 256 MB RAM, GF2, 20 GB hd, onboard sound

Let me say this again, this is just my opinion, it is not basedon any facts at all.

Hmmm... Just thought about this, you should definetly advertise at least one PIV rig.

-Ice

That should be a 900 MHz Duron for those of you out there who spotted the mistake and like to nitpick

 

[Stealth1024]

most people want a visually pleasing computer as well... if it looks really cool they'll pay more, consider this when choosing speakers

 

[Scootin159]

<< Duron @ 900 GHz or 1GHz >>



900Ghz? That's quite the duron.

I agree with the 3 system idea though. Try for 3 prices: $500, $1000 & $1500 (and maybe $2000)

 

[Stealth1024]

personally though I wouldn't mind just a motherboard and power supply, etc. sitting on a desk if it is as fast as there is... Hey it worked with a Pentium 100! lol. RF interference must not have been too great in these parts

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

<<

<< Duron @ 900 GHz or 1GHz >>



900Ghz? That's quite the duron. >>



Yep, AMD went nuts with that one. Lemme know when you spot it on pricewatch, I'm waiting on it to build my new rig. I'm hoping to build it before christmas *crosses fingers*.

-Ice

 

[AGodspeed]

No matter how many benchmarks you show some just don't get it.

That's not true at all actually. When I used to work at a Gateway Country Store, I'd get customers asking me all the time "What's the fastest system here that's also cheap." When Gateway used to sell the 1.2 and 1.4GHz Thunderbird systems, I always suggested them. When they asked me "But isn't this 1.8GHz Pentium 4 thing alot faster than the 1.4GHz." I explained why this thinking was false in under 30 seconds, and if they still didn't believe me, I'd just refer to some of Anand's articles. I only had to refer to some of Anand's articles a few times, when the customer still didn't believe me (some people are just so ignorant).

If you talk in a confident matter (from my experience) the customer will tend to believe you.

EDIT: Also, I'd suggest advertising more Intel products than AMD products. This way you'll attract more customers than if you had predominantly AMD ads. People know the name Intel, they don't know AMD yet.

 

[Windogg]

You will need Intel systems. You average joe thinks AMD = junk. We know otherwise but they don't. Give them what they want. A great cheap system will be the following

850Mhz Intel Celeron II
Coolermaster DP6-6I11 Heatsink
Biostar PLE133 Based Mobo
256MB PC133
20GB 7200 RPM HDD
52X CD-ROM
3.5" Floppy
Integrated 8MB Trident Video
AC97 Audio
NIC or Modem
MATX Case
Mitsumi Keyboard and Mouse
17" Monitor
Windows XP Home or 2000

You cost will be abour $600 - $700 with all legal software

Windogg

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

<< Integrated 8MB Trident Video >>



OMG, sell them something better than that as a favour to me.

-Ice

 

[Maverick2002]

I also have another issue: buying the parts. I would prefer to get most of my stuff from a reliable vendor with good policies, I.E. Newegg. What's a good place I can get a Biostar PLE133 based mobo from?

 

[Maverick2002]

This looks like a pretty good deal, is this place reliable? http://www.pcdirectsource.com/Item.cfm?ID=430

I mean, for $140 this is pretty good:

Celeron 800
Case + 250watt PSU
128mb RAM
Biostar mobo with integrated sound and video
I assume it also has a heatsink since it's "tested' before the sale

Ideas?

 

[PlatinumGold]

Sell the 1.1 Ghz Celeron as your budget to mid range machine. once people see 1 ghz they don't really care whether it is celeron, PIII, PIV, Duron or T-bird. it's all the same anyway.

 

[anime]

if you already have a target omset per month--would be good to get a business license and open a merchant account with ingram micro.

 

[Chipset]

It's hard to say if most of your customers will choose a system primarily on MHz. I think someone who goes and gets a machine custom built at a local shop would tend to be more informed than the average consumer, yet the true enthusiast would build their own. Definitely offer both AMD and Intel. As Stealth1024 mentioned, looks are important. Something that looks cheap with a generic case could be inferior in the customer's mind. Use good-looking cases.

 

[flexy]

i think the average joe doesnt look that much on ghz...and there should be ways to 'explain' the fact that slower clocked AMDs are equal to higher clocked Intels....maybe with some simple comparisons and statements like eg. "AMD 1.5ghz is as fast as Pentium4 2ghz" without boring the customer with too much details.

Anyway of course i think there should be a good amount of Intel systems AND AMD systems...because Intel is more known and may attract customers.

However...i think the most important thing to look at would be what peripherals the systems come with....thats (i think anyway) where average people look at....what they can DO with a pc.

Eg.equipped with cd-burners...a reasonable speaker system...certain software..a system which can be be advertized as "excellent for sound, mp3 playback"...backuping and burn their own music-cds...downloading sounds off the net and burn it to cd....whatever....

Another machine can be a gamer's machine...another machine is the budget machine which grandma could consider buying its grandchildren...since it has some educational software on it and it is priced very attractively....eg. duron cpu..and it provides easy internet access..so grandson can get a lot of information which he can use in school... (lol ... ... but you get the idea...

The average joe DOES something with his computer.....only the geeks focus on details like benchmarking, a few mhz more or less etc..... thats how i see it..

 

[BlueApple]

The 'el cheapo' should be cheap, not with 128 MB or RAM. If someone is writing a paper or emailing, they don't need any mroe then 128 MB or RAM, a 600 Mhz Celly, on board video and sound, if you say cheap, keep it cheap. They won't be doign ANY games or graphics, probably won't even be doing any MP3's!

 

[Maverick2002]

Ok, I'll see what I can dig up. So how does this look, anyone know if this place is reliable (just for the barebones thing, I'll get other stuff from Newegg probably): http://www.pcdirectsource.com/Item.cfm?ID=430
Thanks! Oh, and what monitor size? 17" or 15"? I assume 17" is standard now .....

 

[theplanb]

User friendly, Realiable, Durable, Unbreakable PC with lots of features and gadgets...(like.. digi camera, DVD player, TV-tuner, Printer)

 

[jacklutz]

<< Ok, I'll see what I can dig up. So how does this look, anyone know if this place is reliable (just for the barebones thing, I'll get other stuff from Newegg probably): http://www.pcdirectsource.com/Item.cfm?ID=430
Thanks! Oh, and what monitor size? 17" or 15"? I assume 17" is standard now ..... >>



Definetly a 17" monitor... that's one ugly case.

 

[DDad]

Windogg-

Not looking to start a flame war or anything

Most "average joes" don't even know what the processor is, much less what brands are good or bad, etc. They do recognize Intel, if for nothing other than the ads on TV.

As far as myself:

I try to find out what the customer wants / needs it for:

Basic System: AMD Duron, Integrated sound & Video, 256 mb memory 20 g or higher HD- $500- 600+ if they wnat/need a 17" monitor
Mid Range: AMD Tbird (up to 1.2) Geforce 2 32 mb, 256 mb Memory ( make a cheap upgrade option of 512) SB Live! (OEM) 40 gb hd - 800-900
Top End- AMD XP OR Pentium 4. Geforce 2 Ultra 64 mb DDr. 512 Memory (DDR) 256 MB (Rdram), DVD & 20X CD-RW ,Audigy, either a 60 gb drive or 2 40's- 1200- 1500. Usually they want a 19" monitor with this setup


The aggrevating part in my mind is for the software package- Basic & mid range gets Win98SE, Mid range gets 98SE + one software title of their choice (up to $100, for more than that they pay my cost). Top of the line- They choose OS, 3 titles (up to $300)

I also have some "specialty builds" for special interests- for example, I have a basic system designed to be compatible for the needs of the local Genealogy group- they wanted a software package to include software titles and links on the web- surprisingly enough I've built a dozen or so systems just for that groups members- they like it because it's real easy to use each others computers (in case they have to when doing research at each others house

 

[Maverick2002]

Nevermind, I just saw that Newegg has that Biostar mobo in, so I'll go for that. Which of these cases should I get for em:

$40 + 300watt psu, kinda generic looking

or

$55 + 300watt psu, Enermax - looks better but costs more

Thanks for your help guys, I really appreciate it, gotta get that first sale in

 

[Rahminator]

Joe Sixpack wants a nice looking and QUIET computer. Dazzle with high MHz and big hard drives (pick the slow 5400 rpm ones to cut costs). If you want to "educate" your customers why they should pick AMD over Intel, you better make some flyers with short, concise and interesting facts and some colorful charts that compare AMD vs. Intel on MHz by MHz basis otherwise you will just be repeating yourself over and over and over to "ignorant" customers and then you will either go crazy or decide to sell Intel only.

 

[Windogg]

Actually, the reason I like the PLE133 is that there is also a KLE133. The KLE is for Durons and TBirds. The PLEs are dead silent in a microATX case because of reduced fan count. The integrated Trident Blade 3D is equivilant to the matrox G200 and has great 2D. 3D is on par with the usual integrated Intel and Savage4.

Having built about 100 systems on the PLE/KLE133 chipset, I would have to day that the Intels account for 75% of the systems I build despite my insistance that AMDs are a better value.

The best thing is to give the people what they want. If they want Intel, give them Intel. if they wany AMD, give them AMD. If they want Cyrix, give them Cyrix. The big thing is to give them options. Of course the best thing to do is keep your product line small to minimize support issues. I like integrated alot because it saves time. When building for home I have time to tweak and install boards but business wise the less I have to install the better.

Windogg

 

[DDad]

Oh- BTW- I also keep a "Beater" box handy and take it to assorted service calls- if they are going to be down for a few days I loan them the "beater"- it has a wide assortment of assorted programs (both business and home & games & fun stuff), plus all the local ISP's numbers. Currently it's a Athlon 1.2 with 384 mb ram, 40 gb HD, 10X DVD & 16X CD-RW.

It's kinda funny- after they use it for a couple of days most of them want to know "how much is it going to cost to build a new one against fixing my old one?" Most don't want to go back to the P 166's & 200's after playin with the 1.2.......

One other point- you may want to consider keeping a few "beater pieces" handy- I swear the most used piece I have is a old Laserjet III ! Not unusual for me to get a call from a business " I can't print anything- I've got invoices to make, statements to send out, bills to pay, etc" It earns brownie points if you hook them up with something that will get them operational while you either wait on parts, or wait on the new equipment to come in. I did however, have one lady that begged me not to take the laserjet after replacing her Deskjet 672 series, however (hmmm, that's hard to imagine)

 

[LukFilm]

People these days want a gigahertz system. So make sure you have one for a great price (Duron 1GHz comes to ming). I've worked in this business for a while, so I know what people want. All they REALLY see are three things - MHz/Ghz, RAM size and HDD size. Nothing else really matters in the end (they won't care if they have a TNT vs. GF3, Audigy vs. onboard sound). Also, they are happy when you can throw in a cheap printer, so do that. Last, but not least, it's a VERY tough business to be in right now, I wish you good luck and God's speed.