cheapest way to get a computer..?

[grim_reefer]

we need to get some new computers.. is it cheapest to:

i) purchase the whole computer

ii) purchase all the completed parts (i.e. monitor, CPU, keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc) separately

iii) same as ii) but build the CPU from scratch too

???

cheers :)

if iii) is the cheapest way - then is there anywhere i can get advise on what parts are compatible with eachother, etc, and what is required??.. i could build a computer, as i have disassembled and upgraded/reassembled others in the past - but knowing it all from scratch (without something to work from) is a bit different...

[Guest ellas]

i) purchase the whole computer

I build my own but I think its cheaper to buy the whole computer,we need to know what are the computers for though to give a proper answer.

[Rebel=UK=]

i) purchase the whole computer

I build my own but I think its cheaper to buy the whole computer,we need to know what are the computers for though to give a proper answer.

oooo disagree with that, i think its cheaper building ya own me like

[grim_reefer]

lol i had a feeling i might get conflicting replies like that! :rolleyes:

i mean on one hand i imagine it cheaper buying all the parts yourself and building your own as you are not paying the computer company labouring costs and their profit, which is included in their price. but on the other it could be cheaper for it all to be bought at once because you are buying a package, you get a "deal" :rolleyes: and discount

but... the computer will be (for now anyway) pretty much strictly for photo editting and printing.. so a self-build could be better because it can be made to suit my needs and therefore budget the cost by not spending on un-needed things.. :unsure: not sure which way to go?

[Agent Smith]

In sheer terms of cost, it is possible to source all the parts separately at a slightly cheaper price than to buy complete. However, you really then need to take into account the time it would take you to assemble the machines. Do not forget to include the cost of an OS licence (assuming you go M$) with a self build.

There are swings and roundabouts with all options of course. If you buy a complete unit, you will almost certainly be able to get a decent warranty on the unit, and probably some bundled software. You will also know that all the components work together (at least they should, if the manufacturer has done his job properly). If you self build, you will only get the off the shelf 12 month warranty on each part, and of course should you get a failure, you will need to remove it and return it to the supplier for repair.

You do not say how many machines you need, but just as an example, we (my work) are currently looking to buy about 100 machines, and for an XP2400, 512 ram, onboard sound/graphics, 17" monitor, key/mouse, OS and a few other odds and sods, we have been getting quotes ranging from £350 to £450 plus VAT.

My personal advice for work related machines, is to buy already built, and if possible all the same (this aids office setups using image deployment and backup).

Mr. M.

[-pops-]

I build all my son's machines for his business (except the two Macs). There are several reasons for this, one of the most important being that he is quite specific what he wants in terms of hardware, both type, number and quality. For example, all his machines have at least three Maxtor hard drives (one in a removable caddy), he wants Plextor optical drives, he wants high quality branded memory etc. These things are not normally obtainable in off-the-shelf commercial machines and you have to go to a specialist builder (me in this instance).

In this way, self build or "me build", is the cheapest option as anyone else building a bespoke machine will charge - and charge a lot - for it.

Obviously this is unsuitable if you want production line quantities but I've built for him as his business expands and we have a rotating system where, now, I am working on renewing the machines built two years ago.

[grim_reefer]

thanks for the help

for now we only want one machine - obviosuly with a larger quantity, the time for building them up would be an issue.

but time is still an issue for us, things cannot wait, you cant do things "tomorrow" you have to do them "today" lol.. it would be cheaper to selfbuild i assumed in the first place, but i think maybe it is worth paying the bit extra for the pre-built machine, saving time on a] not building the thing; and b] not finding and working out what parts i need and which are compatible with eachother

obviously for a sepcific type of machine selfbuild is better and cheaper - but to start up with anyway i think we will go for a complete machine, thanks :)

[Guest ellas]

yeah I think as mr mouse pointed it out its not the hardware that costs but the software,a big supplier like pcworld can bundle software in for next to nothing,alas with only a recovery disc for xp,while a self build would need a OEM disc costing about £70.