A very frequent recurring theme I hear often from people is "Why should
I pay a custom builder to build the same computer I could buy from eMachines/
Dell/Compaq/Fill in any other brand name here?" I have to answer the question with a
question, "You do know that it doesn't matter what name is on the case, that most
computers are basically the same parts, different names on the case right?"

A name brand computer is going to basically have the same parts in it
that every other computer made by someone else has. It will have the motherboard,
processor, hard disk drive, memory etc.. that their competitor has. The only
difference is how big of a deal they got from the manufactures of those components
to make the machine cost effective for their profit. Also most name brand systems
are assembly line produced. They are put together in groups of anywhere from 20 -
10000 depending how well that configuration of parts and software sells.

When you have a computer custom built the system is being designed and built
specifically for your needs. For example, I have seen people go ahead and pay
$4000 bucks or more for a computer from Alienware just because the case was cool looking
and the system is supposed to be fast. Huh? You paid how much for a "Cool
looking" computer? I have to shake my head every time, especially when they are
calling me to come and fix their new computer and they don't know why it doesn't
work like they want it to. After all shouldn't that cool looking computer be the
best one? Custom builders usually have an extensive case selection available to them
from their distributors. You can get a cool looking case from a custom builder too.

The majority of people just starting out with computers (ok this should read the
older generation just realizing that computers do not bite, will not turn you into
an instant nerd and are not the evil little machines they thought they were) do
not realize that looks are not everything in computers. They know they have to
use a computer at work and may go and buy the same brand name of computer that
they use at work. They do this simply because it may very well be the only brand name
that they know. Since they have worked with this "kind" of computer
before they should not have any problems with it at home right? WRONG!!

Buying the same kind of system you use at work is only a good thing if you are
going to be doing the same job at home that you do at the office. In most cases,
if you boss is going to have you work from home they will provide you with the
computer you need. Also, most major corporations and midsize companies use what are
called workstations. A workstation is not the same as a stand alone computer. A
workstation needs the server it is connected to on the network to work. Some workstations
can be converted to home computer use, but they need to be set up to do so. Just
a little heads up to the guy who is planning on diving into the company dumpster to
save a few bucks on a computer.

My all time favorite is the people who go to an unnamed electronics chain and
bought the system the clerk recommended. Never mind that it was the most
expensive one in the store, and it has more bells and whistles than they know
what to do with. They paid top dollar and it should work flawlessly, right?
WRONG again!

Looks, brand names, price and what the 17 year old kid at the local electronics
store says is the "best deal" are not going to guarantee a good computer for
your needs. The kid at the computer store sold you the top of the line, most
expensive computer because he works on commission. The computer brand you use
at work may be fine for what you use it for at work, but may not be suited for
your home use to sit and play Texas Hold'em in the online casino for hours.
Just because you paid top dollar for the coolest looking computer does not make
it the best computer.The outer case has nothing to do with the performance of
the computer. The case is there to put everything together in one place so you
can use it without shocking yourself electrically.

The computer is a machine, just like your car. Some of us drive small,
inexpensive cars because we like to save gas and don't like to drive the
larger honkin' road hog cars. Maybe where you live is a more rural area,
and pick up trucks and SUV's are more practical then the small economy car. Get the
idea? I could go and buy a brand new Mercedes but it would not be practical
trying to drive it from my house to the nearest paved road (which is by the
way at least a few miles away). You need to use what is practical for your
 needs, just like your auto, your computer needs to have what you need it to do.

What good is a Mercedes in a rural area? None you can't or at least shouldn't
be driving it down pot hole filled gravel roads. That kind of driving would
kill the car off before the last payment was made! Same is true for that
computer with all the bells and whistles. Are you really going to start your
own business selling your own DVD's and you absolutely need to have the DVD
burner with lightscribe? Most likely not. Do you really need to have the
fastest processor with the most memory just to play games on Pogo.com all night?
I highly doubt it.

A good custom builder first listens to your answers of a few very simple
questions. How do you use your computer? Do you surf the net for hours just
checking out cool sites or are you a gamer? Do you do a lot of work from
home? Are you working from home and if so what kind of work do you do? There
may be a few more questions they may ask, but this is to give you an idea of what
they will ask.

These questions will tell a custom builder a great deal about how you use
the system and what will be the best fit for you. You may pay a little more
up front for the cost of the new system, but it should be everything you
actually need to work. When figuring the cost of ownership of your new
computer consider this; You may think the deal you are getting from
the major manufacture looks good, but check the small print before committing
to the sale. Some prices are dependant on rebates and special offers that must
be signed up for and have term limits before you get your rebate back. You
may actually shell out more money just to get the "discounted" cost.

Also check with your custom builder to see if they have built the kinds of
systems you need. I have personally built well over a few thousand custom
built systems over the past 20 years. Most of the systems I have built have
been high end graphics for engineering and gaming, small business servers and
workstations, and basic machines for the home office/entrpenuers. There are other
custom builders who do nothing but high end graphics, others only do business
machines, yet even others are into robotics, basic computers, etc.. For every
type of computer you can think of, there is someone out there who makes it their
personal specialty.

Don't be suckered into buying the top of the line, must have high end everything
machines. There is a high cost with high end machines. When technology is brand
new, it will cost more not only in dollars and cents, but time spent perfecting
the technology also. I wont name the names, but a certain software giant everyone
knows is chronically pushing out the latest technology and then weeks after the
initial release start releasing the service packs and patches to repair weaknesses
in the software. I really don't have an answer to why they don't just test the
vulnerability more prior to release. If it were my company I would be making
sure it ran better than expected before selling to the general public. But I digress...

For the average user, the latest greatest thing on the planet is not going to help
you win at the Poker Challenge online. It won't improve your performance playing
solitaire either. For this type of computing take advantage of the slightly older
technologies out there. They have been tested and proven to workout of the box.

The average home user really does not need every single new toy, bell and whistle
available in their system. Sure they are nice to have, but if it just sits there
doing nothing because you have no clue how to use it, was it really that cost
effective for you? Most likely not, so be realistic with yourself when choosing
what goes in the system. Ask yourself "will I really use this more than once? Will I
use this everyday? Week? Month?" If you can answer yes to that, then it should
be included in the system, if the answer is no then pass it by.

And finally, Check to see if the custom builder has any kind of warranty service that
is included with the new computer. Most of the major component manufactures offer
a 1 year warranty on the parts automatically. There are programs out there that will
extend that warranty even farther up to at least 3 years. the average warranty is 1 year.
Make sure the system you purchase does offer some type of warranty on the parts. Also.
ask how the warranty is covered. Do you have to send the system back to the builder to
get the warranty covered? Can the computer be taken to another shop for repair to have
the warranty covered? Who will cover the cost of the repair should a part malfunction
before the one year is up?

Please keep in mind that because a part has a warranty, it has to be proven that the
part itself is actually malfunctioned. If it shows that user error is the cause of
the malfunction than the warranty will not be honored. Make sure it isn't you causing
the error but the part itself.