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When was the last time you bought an off-the-shelf computer?

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bought an IBM Aptiva back before 1996ish. That thing got me through college and springboarded my PC-geekdom. Built them starting after that.
 
When I first got into computers I don't know how many years ago, early teens so over 12 years easy. Parents bought me an off the shelf Compaq Celeron 667 system to "encourage" me. Hard drive crapped out within a week and I replaced it myself. Who knew what I was starting then.
 
mnewsham said:
It's good for the money, but it's going to be sloooow for gaming load times (read 5400rpm HDD), check out sager notebooks, they are an established company and for maybe 100-200 more you can get something similar with a good HDD and better build quality.
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Thank you! Taking a look now.
 
My last desktop from 2 years ago started as an off the shelf HP that I got an excellent deal on. It has since been changed so that only the CPU and video card remain from it. (1090t and HD5770)
 
Mixolydian said:
Yesterday at work I loaded half a dozen HP PC's that were being delivered to a local business. Made me think - I haven't bought an off the shelf PC in years!

So when was the last time you bought an off-the-shelf, name brand computer (non-laptop of course)?
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I bought my first and only mac in 1991. Started building PCs in 96.
 
While a fair amount of savings can be found in the parts side, once you factor in the cost of your time building computers can often become a losing proposition. For average system usage, it can be more of a win to buy a $500 box and throw a few quick components at it than to build one from scratch.

While one CAN build a computer (the one I'm on right now was built about a year ago), it does not always mean one MUST. My two systems previous to this one were $400 box-store closeouts that I threw a PS, video card and some memory into (in some cases, hand-me-downs between systems to boot) that ended up getting me to 98% of the performance for 80% of the price and 20% of the time invested (not including waiting for shipping of individual components).

Ability and Reasonability are a pair of concepts all too often mixed up.
 
1998? Maybe. I ended up returning it and building one just following the instruction in the parts I bought. I don't think laptops count seeing as how you have no choice but to buy off the shelf.
 
Polarhound said:
While a fair amount of savings can be found in the parts side, once you factor in the cost of your time building computers can often become a losing proposition. For average system usage, it can be more of a win to buy a $500 box and throw a few quick components at it than to build one from scratch.

While one CAN build a computer (the one I'm on right now was built about a year ago), it does not always mean one MUST. My two systems previous to this one were $400 box-store closeouts that I threw a PS, video card and some memory into (in some cases, hand-me-downs between systems to boot) that ended up getting me to 98% of the performance for 80% of the price and 20% of the time invested (not including waiting for shipping of individual components).

Ability and Reasonability are a pair of concepts all too often mixed up.
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it takes like 30 minutes to build a computer...
 
Desktop personally? Not for a while but my workplace just replaced everyone desktop computers (a few thousands) with new ones within the last year or so.

I still have a desktop case in the box, ready for parts to be build as the next home desktop. One of my many "to do" projects.
 
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