First time computer buyer?
Looking to upgrade?
Building your own PC will save you money.

However, most of us are not fearless enough to remove the case on a computer and have no intention to do so in the near future. So where does that leave you?

Your best option is to find your nearest local computer store (avoid Best Buy, Staples, Office Max, etc. The prices are cheap, but the service is inadequate.) Most cities have at least one mom and pop computer store that sells "clone" or custom built computers. They usually have excellent deals on hard drive, cases, motherboards, memory and peripherals, and can build the entire computer for you with a warranty.

Based on you needs, they can help you assemble a computer that will not only meet your needs today, but will have the ability to expand in the future with little extra cost. This is great because you are not having to buy a whole new PC again in the future.

Brand Name or No Name?
Some people shop by brand name or want to buy something they saw on television because it's familiar and assume it must be good. While this may buy them "confidence", what are they really buying?

Most larger computer companies like HP use proprietary parts. Meaning that if your cooling fan breaks down, you have to buy the HP cooling fan at a higher price! You can't go to your nearest computer store and buy a new fan off the shelf. Why? It wont fit!

Plus you end up paying  more and wait longer as the part has to be shipped or taken to a HP Authorized dealer as not to void the warranty!

What a hassle! If you are running a business, you will lose time and money.

If you must buy from a major vendor, consider Gateway for home and Dell for Business. Few major computer makers build computers that use parts you can get at the store if they need replacing. And let's face it, computer support from these larger computer makers (Ace, HP, etc.) are anything but quick and efficient. There has been a serious decline in good computer support since 1998.

Consider building your own computer or having a local computer shop build you a computer to meet your needs. Here's a couple of good reasons why:

• When a computer part wears out, it is quicker and cheaper to replace at a local computer store. Most stores even have warranties.
• If you want to upgrade or expand your computers hardware, your computer will be ready and capable.

The simple fact is, most large computer makers like Compaq cut costs by putting in cheaper parts, and motherboards that have no room for expansion if you want to add that modem, or extra hard drive later. Even memory slots are limited and a pain to find the correct part that will work.

This means that in most cases, in order to upgrade, you have to buy a whole new computer again since your last computer did not have any extra slots or bays to add your upgrade be it, more space, memory, or functionality.

Local computer stores have retail computer parts that allow for expansion in a computer. For instance, if you look in an HP or Compaq computer, you will see it is very crowded with no space for upgrades. But when you look inside a computer built at a local computer store, there is plenty of room with extra slots, and expansion bays to upgrade your memory, storage, or other parts.

Tips on buying a custom built computer:

1. OEM vs. Retail: Always buy retail parts. They are covered by warranty and have all the software needed to run correctly. Though cheaper, OEM parts are stripped down with no guarantee or working, no software and no warrantee.
2. Cases: Avoid cases with any plastic parts. Avoid the trend of plastic cases with "designer colors". The plastic fades and break very easily.
3. Service: When you buy a custom computer or "clone" at your local computer store, do NOT take your computer to Staples, Office Max, Best Buy or other box stores. The knowledge they have is limited, and  box stores do NOT have a good service record. Stay away from them when it comes to computers!

Chances are good that you just a need a computer that you can get email, write some documents and email, and maybe listen to your favorite music CD, maybe even a DVD to watch a movie on at the most.

Unless you plan to run WIndows Vista, you do NOT need the latest and greatest Intel Core 2 Processor with 4 Gigabytes memory, 640 Gigabytes of RAM, and 21 inch flat screen monitor with pre-installed "adware".

A simple Pentium 4 computer or better with 512Mbs to 1 Gigabytes of memory, 40 Gigabyte Hard drive, 17 inch flatscreen monitor and SoundBlaster soundcard, a set of Labtec desktop speakers and you are ready to go. This computer should cost no more than $700 at your local computer store to build!

One last thing. Since this article is obviously aimed at the amateur to novice user, I would highly recommend using Windows XP. Avoid the latest Windows Vista. It has many issues and is not very stable. Windows XP is cheaper, supported by Microsoft  and a more mature operating system since most of the bugs have been worked out since its release ago.

Computer Builders in Santa Clarita Valley:
1-661-299-2228 - Precision Computers

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