Buy or Build

[aam1234]

It won't be by myself but by somebody who says the following:

1- It will cost more than the Dells or HPs.
2- He will provide support of a year or even more, within reason.
3- He only takes about 2 orders per month. So there will be a bit of waiting.
4- Event though he has a shop, he does the building himself.
5- He will show you, if you like, the parts in their original boxes, with cost and everything.

What would you do.

[Mr. Pickles]

Dell

[aam1234]

Can you say why, Mr.P.

[JDArt]

Unless you like tinkering, buy. And this is from someone who builds.

[aam1234]

Maybe I've left out an important piece of an information. I don't live in the US. Which means I don't have a chance to customize the Dells or HBs, have to buy them as they are in the shops.

What would you do in this case.

[Mr. Pickles]

I'd buy a computer from some "shop" with a reputation and name backing before I'd buy one from some guy that builds his own, all "2 of them a month" and will "provide support for a year or even more, within reason"

[aam1234]

Thanks Mr.P,

Just for my education, if you will, why would you opt for that choice.

Maybe there is a bit of a cultural difference here, but from what the guy said I would lean to trust him (yes I live in a small country).

[JDArt]

When I lived in Europe, I built my own machines. Found it cheaper.

Just be warned: once you start building, you never go back--not because it's better but because you end up with the opportunity to recycle old parts into a new machine and save some significant money, but what you give up is the endless amount of time you'll spend dicking around with computers when you could be out having a "normal" life.

[Mr. Pickles]

The way I feel, if I am not going to build it myself, then buy it already done form someone who will be there next week, next month, or next year.

That is me. You do what you want. If you trust him, get it from him. I trusted people before...

[jfrancho]

I went with a custom Alienware machine, and I'd do it again.