branded or assembled pc? which one to go for?

You have pointed out good points. Our first computer at home was an assembled pc but my current desktop is a branded all-in-one pc, a gateway ZX2300 to be exact. One thing, I enjoyed with our assembled pc is that it helped me widen my knowledge on pc troubleshooting and assembly, as I personally upgraded the parts etc. However, like what other users have mentioned, the price of assembled and branded have narrowed down already and sometimes getting a branded pc is better because you get decent offers, warranty and sometimes even bundled softwares. Two important factors should be considered when buying a pc, budget and time. Nevertheless, the best thing I like about assembled computers, is that I'll be able to decide which parts I would like to put on my computer and what type will it be, like whether I want an ultra cpu with decent graphics card and memory for gaming or just a well-rounded pc for everyday use.

nidakhan About fifteen years ago or twenty years ago assembled pcs use to be quite cheaper than branded pcs. then slowly the difference started narrowing down and people preferred branded pcs and laptops for the guarantee it has. Now check what is the price differential between the two. If the difference is considerable in your view -- you can buy assembled pc and a reliable person who can take guarantee to give a good piece.

Hi, Being a trained programmer and PC hardware technician, I prefer to assemble my own workstation. It is more cost effective to choose parts than to go for the pre-assembled system. I even managed to assemble my recent desktop out of parts cannibalized from discarded system at no cost, although I long for the parts that I can get brand new from the store downtown: mainboard, CPU, RAM, HDD, VGA card and power supply unit. Match them, assemble, install the OS and apps, a whole new desktop PC out of my own specs at no extra cost.

you are absolutely right. There is very less opportunity to upgrade the branded PC. But in assembled PC you can upgrade what you want. But only experienced person can only understand about upgrading the hardware. So freshers should take advice before buying any assembled PC.

Those who are newbies in computers, they can go for branded computers.Ifyou are an expert you can assemble the computer.All parts are available in the market at a cheaper rate. I think those who can manage hardware issue should go for assembled PC.

I would honestly build the computer myself. Because that's what I been doing since 2003. It's more then just a computer at that point, its something you built, customized to your specs, and your liking. I wouldn't buy a branded PC since its all overpriced junk anyways with 90% of the software you'll never use.

In many things when you buy branded you pay for the label but in PCs the branded product my well be better. You can look at the specifications but they do not tell you how the parts work together. Sometimes a branded machine of lower spec will run faster and be more reliable than an assembled one of higher spec, usually they also are considerably quieter 15 years experience, repairing computers and solving peoples PC problems all the best urban

Except for portables which are still a lot more expensive to build rather then buy, it is nearly the same price or at times cheaper to buy a pre-made computer. I built most of my computers, and the last upgrade I really noticed a difference so much so that I actually bought the one I use now. I have a desktop because I can have a bigger screen and change the size of the disk ram etc when I want, but, this is not because it is cheaper but a kind of really simple personalization. To buy cheaper computers means you are willing to be flexible with your demands. This computer was the previous years model to the year I bought it, had little ram and the disk was okay, it did however have a good motherboard and cpu, while it was under warranty I did not upgrade it was fine, but since then I have changed a few things here and there. The thing is buying the components individually with the same characteristics would have worked out nearly a third more expensive. So it really depends on what you want, if you want a super computer, that is totally up to date with very specific definitions, making it is the way to go, if you want a simple computer that just does simple things and there is no special demands, then with a little looking around it is better to buy one pre-done. Oh and of course super brands are always more expensive, local or no name brands may work just as well for half the price.

In the past I have always built my own computers from components, when time became short I spent a lot of money on a 'future proof' model, which to be fair, has lasted nearly 10 years. I felt like I knew what I was doing with the self builds, and I felt like loads of rubbish had been pre installed in the one I bought from he shop, even now I don't think I've used all the rubbish they stuck on it. The problem you have these day is that the technology has to be matched much more than ever before. For instance the memory speed and the cpu / bus speed have to match up, and you have to decide if 4 core a low GHz is better than 1 core at a really fast GHz rate. Don't forget of course the modern components are more delicate it you static shock one these days you do stand a higher chance of breaking it. I think on the whole I'd rather build my own, but I'd need the time to correctly research it and get all the components to balance. I suspect I'll simply upgrade the mother board to a board, cpu, memory bundle and use the existing SATA drive and software, oh yeah and keep my fingers crossed !

my desktop computer right now is custom-built. just like what you pointed out, i also thought about these reasons before. i have a friend who could repair and build one, so i just gave him the specifications i want with the budget i have. then he proceeded to but the parts and assemble it. i did not have a problem with it so far. anyway, i could always call on him ifever this pc crashes. oh, and he took care of the OS and some softwares already. when he handed it to e, it is ready for use.

my pc is I guess assembled because not all parts belong to the same brand. In the store where I bought it, we can select computer sets with the specifications being listed. Because I don't know much about computers I chose the one which according to the salesgirl is good for gaming. When the set was already brought home, I got the chance to take a look on every box that are scattered in the floor. I found out that the computer parts do not belong to the same brand. So I guess branded or assembled they are just the same.

economically speaking I prefer assembled computers than of branded computers. That's right branded computers are sold with high price. Some would say branded are better as they are big company, they can assure buyers that their products are genuine. But if you are really out of budget go for assembled PC's. Assembled PC's are the same as with the branded. All you have to do is to choose for the parts that you think can perform what you need. It's not really important as the PC's are branded, for me as long as I'm satisfied with the performance, gets the job right - that is two thumbs up for me.

I have two PC both are assembled. I preferred assemble PC than branded because their are cheaper and I can choose every parts of my PC.