Pre-Built or Custom?

[Ridman]

The only advantage to buying a pre-built computer is the warranty (which even then is not great, with inept phone support or requirements to pay for shipping for long repairs). Savings are really nominal, and the basic parts are often generic or lacking in manufacturer warranty (such as hard drives).

If you have the ability to tech it yourself or know someone who will do it for a reasonable cost, definitely go that route. Much more satisfying to know what's inside it, and you end up with a better system.

[Robert]

I have never had any problems with warranty on my custom made computers. All the parts are still covered by the manufactures warranty, so the only thing you have to different is find the part that is faulty.

[Ridman]

Nah, I was talking about with prebuilts. If you get a Dell with a 1 year warranty, you don't get the other warranties you would normally get. So even if WD made the no-name HDD in your Dell, you won't get the WD multi-year warranty.

With a custom build, most of the parts have multi-year warranties at no added cost, which is a nice perk.

[Robert]

ahhh....

Yeah, I also like the fact that you get everything you need and nothing you don't.

If you not a hardcore gamer, you don't need a super high end Graphics card. With a custom built system you can spend the money saved on the GFX card and get a few extra inches on your monitor or a bigger hard drive. But you still get all the other high end parts you want.

[Dan]

What i use is a kind of pre-built system and kind of customizable at the same time. They are also very cheap. The site i use is PCSPECIALIST.CO.UK - Custom PCs, Custom Computers, Custom PC, Custom Built Computers, Gaming PC I recommend you try them out

[conrad]

Custom is still the way to go, yet pre builds are getting cheaper, so are parts.. Also I have seen on prebuilds they try more to void what it dosnt have and show the small things it has. Most have low ram, hds and processors. I would go custom all the way.. check out newegg.com for lowest part prices.

[Kyleira]

Having experience with both pre-built and custom, meeting your needs is what you have to look at. The advantage of pre-built is that it comes with a lot of pre-installed software that could be costly when buying it for a custom build. The advantage of custom is you only pay and get what you want and do not get any of the stuff you will not use or need.

So in general if you are looking for something and know exactly what you want and do not want, then a custom build might be just what you are looking for. That way you can also get a few upgrades on the things you want to have upgraded from the beginning.

[harvcr]

My current laptop is pre-built but I had the option to choose or costume many of its features. It was pretty expensive but I got a pretty good discount, 50% off!
I know many of my friends built their own computers and they are even better than prebuilt computers.

[CaTaNha]

My new computer is pre-built.