Build your own?

The first computer that we had was already used so it was somewhat in a package deal, a Compaq horizontal CPU. It went through plenty of repair until we were able to finally buy a new one which we constructed at the computer shop. I now also know the parts that I can change to upgrade and have already reformatted it a couple of times when its acting slow.

Every 4-5 years now when I need to do a serious upgrade of my PC I check out all the nits and get one made to order. The last one I got is a AMD 2200 dual core and I got them to put 4gb vidoe mem in it becuase I know they always need more than whet you get when you buy one. I save a heap of money doing it this way but not as much as if I built it myself.

Hi DarkDancer, Allow me first to greet you on your 1st 100th milestone. Normally that is the longest, the rest you wouldn't notice you've passed them. I'm sure you had a good time reaching this. The only branded unit I had was a hand-me-down compaq laptop. I've been building one since my first pentium 100. Unlike before the internet is a very good tool to updates one self in latest trend. There are many sites that reviews new technologies and forum sites for actual and live evaluations. This determines how I build one. The good thing about making one myself is that I could concentrate to the feature and budget to what I really need. Nothing more for a lot less.

Awhile back, my daughter's computer CD-ROM drive broke, so I took another CD-ROM drive from my broken down computer and swapped them out. Now she has a practically new (old, 98 Windows) working computer. It's not new, but it works fine for CD-ROMS and kids games and such.

Well, I get some intense rush when buying a new power pc but that time is over for me. Now, I buy the products and build my "supercomputer" that fit my needs and budget. And ya, I find this project much more exciting because you can actually build "this". I don't know, but I can't really explain this feeling when you're doing this.

I have built my pc. All the hardware was bought in Paraguay (a neighbor country where hardware PC are too cheap!). That way I can choose my hardware according with my money can buy! I personally don't like brand PC's, because the brand PC's obliges me to buy exactly how it are! (and cost more money!)

My first computer was in the misty past when 8 bit was king and DOS was just a glint in Mr. Gate's eye. In those days components were hard to get hold of in the UK and very expensive. It took quite a while for it to become cheaper to build than to buy. Now I build PC's for myself and for others and buy most of my kit online from Ebuyer which has a 'next-day' delivery service to my door. The rare occasion where items are DOA they have a good returns policy but I find that now almost 100% of the components come from China and faults are now very rare indeed. Have you got into building laptops?

So far I have the owner of only 4 computers, 2 desktops and 2 laptops. The desktops allow you a lot more freedom as to chose what you want according to your budget and put it together. That's why I did so. The first time with the help of a friend the 2nd on my own. And you can always get smaller updates for a lot less money than if the computer had a specific brand. As for the laptops, the first was a Toshiba that I used for some 6 years (after 8 years I can still use it and run Windows XP on it) and the one I am currently using is a MacBook (and God do I love it and it's Mac OS X). From what I know today and the use I have for computers I will keep doing the same. The only thing that might be different is if I have the possibility to buy a Mac desktop... but for now it's too pricey for me.