Branded or Assembled PCs: Three Reasons Why Choose an Assembled PC

Learn How to Read Technical Specifications
One must know how to read technical specifications when shopping for a computer. Before I bought my first PC, I had to research on the Internet, asked advice from friends and computer technicians, and read computer magazines for information on how to choose and buy a computer.

In my investigation, I found branded PCs to have the following advantages over assembled PCs:

1. Quality. These PCs have passed rigorous quality checks at the production line. They are designed for good performance and carry a warranty.
2. Product Support. If the computer malfunctions, I know where to run to.

But branded PCs have almost the same disadvantages as laptops. They are expensive, and difficult to upgrade and customize. Though they are reliable, I had my eye set on assembling my own PC.

Why Choose an Assembled PC
Configuring my own PC brought forth a number of advantages over a branded one; in fact these were the three reasons why I chose to assemble my own PC.

1. Price. Costs less to build compared to a branded PC with the same specification.
2. Upgradeability. Branded PCs are difficult to upgrade, much less losing its warranty if I try to add or replace new hardware. Upgradeability is important in a situation when one component of the computer needs to be changed with higher capacity or a better-performing device.
   
3. Customization. Branded PCs did not suit my needs. For example, one model offered high storage capacity hard disk with a low-end motherboard installed while another had a small screen. In contrast, I had many choices assembling a PC.
   

Assembled PCs have one drawback that the faint-hearted might quail—there is no product support. But I had a solution for this concern—look for a trustworthy computer store that assembles PCs with a guarantee. Once I found one, I presented my specification and had it analyzed for compatibility. After the store agreed (with some helpful suggestions) that my specs were workable, I purchased all the hardware from them and have the PC assembled before me—this ensured that the parts installed were brand new and not reconditioned.

Though branded PCs are reliable and dependable, this doesn’t mean that one cannot build a high-performing PC. I was able to build my PC 32% less than the cost of a branded PC with almost the same specification.

Laptop or Desktop: Three Reasons Why Choose a Desktop PC

Three Years Ago
To buy a laptop or desktop—that is the question that I had to wrestle with three years ago when I made a decision to buy a computer. Whether a laptop is better than a desktop came to be the intention of my exploration on the Internet.

Portability was the primary reason I deliberated on buying a laptop; though appealing to thieves. They were small, which means they come with small screens; cramped keyboards and touchpad. I knew this cool gadget was not for me because, at the time, laptops were expensive and equipped with low-performing CPUs and small capacity hard disk drives. In addition, a newspaper article I had read about a man who felt a burning feeling on his lap while using his laptop on his lap, further discouraged me from buying one. I tried using one and it did overheat.

Desktops were designed for intensive work than laptops. The following were the three reasons why I had to choose a desktop over a laptop.

1. Price. At a price of a low-end laptop, I could get a high performing desktop PC. This fact is still true today.
2. Upgradeability. This was one factor where laptops lagged behind desktops. I could add or replace a compatible graphics card when I want my multimedia programs to run faster, install additional RAM when my PC needs more memory, or add/replace a hard disk drive when my PC’s storage capacity is no longer enough for my files.
3. Customization. By customization, I mean a desktop PC could be tailor-made according to my needs, taste, and budget. I had a variety of choices between CRT and LCD monitors, Intel-based and AMD-based motherboards, simple and professional-looking tower cases, and other peripheral devices such as speakers and web cameras.
   

If I Were to Buy a Computer Today
Laptops today are still expensive but are configured with high-performing CPUs, large memory and disk storage. They are nearly if not just as capable as most desktops. Insatiably, I prefer to own both a laptop and desktop PC. But since laptops are still not easy to upgrade—changing a graphics card, for instance—I would still choose a desktop PC. And later on, when netbooks supersede laptops in functionality, only then would I buy a portable computer.