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Debate – Buying Assembled or Branded PC?

Hi!

One of the first things that will come to mind when buying a computer is whether to go for the assembled part-by-part cheaper systems or to buy a Company guaranteed sleek-black-box.

What it comes down to is money, a big factor, Right? Doesn’t it always?.


As I have mellowed with time (and after talking to a couple of geeks who were happy with their assembled machines), here go the advantages and disadvantages of both situations –

An Assembled PC

An Assembled PC

Assembled systems –

1. Cheaper – Mostly this is a criterion when buying for the home. Though, some of the assembled computers having high quality parts from reputed manufacturers may sometimes cost more than some branded computers in the market.

2. Large choice of Add-ons – On the other hand, you get to decide what extras you would like. It’s difficult to get adds-ons in branded computers as per your choice.

3. Low Reliability – Though you can check the specifications of each and every component that you paid for, it can be a time taking and requires a LOT of patience. Integrating the PC components from different manufacturers might not be compatible with each other and may lead to some or other problem. Buying reputed manufacturer components will definitely increase the reliability but no one has really tested their interoperability with so many OS’s and application SW’s.

4. Lousy service – Often Assembled computers are sold by shop keepers operating from small offices. The quality and knowledge level of the technical persons working with them is very poor. Most of them only work with them for getting trained and change their jobs for minor salary raise. So, you have to be really patient in getting your Assembled computer repaired from these small shop keepers.


5. OS and Application SW questionable– In case of Assembled systems, you don’t get a licensed Operating System and Application SW – but is often pirated. It’s likely to lead to trouble, often at critical moments. You can either use the pirated version or go for the genuine one at extra cost. As the OS has not been tested with the combination of the components you are using, the chances of facing some errors or crashes becomes more.

Dell Branded PC

A Branded Dell PC

Branded machines –

1. Initial Price is Costlier – It’s hard to fight my bias for the Company branded machine. The initial price that you pay is more than the Assembled computer with the same configuration but in long run, the Branded computers cost less. They are overall still cheaper as there are less downtime affecting your business and you have peace of mind with a quality certification from a known Company.

2. Less choice on Add-ons – You can still decide which add-ons you want, but the choices are limited.

3. Reliability – You do get in black and white what you paid for and a guarantee/warranty from a reputed organization.

4. Dependable service – The service is more dependable, consistent for the common problems encountered and spread over a large area. The quality of service personnel is often better not to give you major headaches.

5. OS and Application SW guaranteed - The price of branded PC mostly includes the licensed and genuine OS and some of  the common Application SW.

Conclusion –

Go for an Assembled computer if you are not going to use it for professional business purpose applications or have a working backup PC ready to immediately takeover the problematic assembled PC. Or, you may go for an Assembled PC, if you are a trained technical person/self-professed geek, if you are hotdang sure of what you want and are confident you will get it OR if the shop is owned by a close person known to you.

Well, there can be different situations that may violate my above views but I am sure that for most of the cases, these tips will definitely help you. Also, as the price difference between Assembled and Branded PC is reducing, it is now becoming less debatable and more smart to go for a branded PC, Right?. There may definitely be exceptions to the above rules – if you find them, do let me know.

If you liked this post, whether you agree, disagree or plain don’t know – do drop me a comment. Thanks for reading.

Rajesh

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Posted in: Advice, Hardware, Others - Desktop

Tags: benefits of branded PC, branded vs assembled computer, debate of branded and assembled PC

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 26th, 2007 at 1:21 am and is filed under Advice, Hardware, Others - Desktop. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

10 Responses to “Debate – Buying Assembled or Branded PC?”

Pothi Kalimuthu September 6th, 2008 at 8:54 am

Hi Rajesh,

Thank you for your wonderful views on this topic.

I’d like to share few things regarding assembled PC. I don’t own an assembled PC, though. But two branded laptops. :)

Regarding reliability, as the VAT cuts away the black market in many aspects like price, most of the assembled PCs come with warranty/guarantee for every part (except cabinet :-) . So in a 10 point scale, I would give 5 points on reliability for assembled PC.

Regarding service, there is no doubt, a branded PC is backed by a pool of experienced service engineers. However, I’m sure it would take 3 to 8 weeks to get it back if one gives a branded PC for service. In case of assembled PC, one can get an immediate service at an additional cost. So again, I’d like to 5 out of 10 points for assembled PCs.

I wholeheartedly agree with other aspects of your article.

Thanks and regards,
Pothi.

rajeshmago September 6th, 2008 at 11:19 am

@ Pothi,

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

I would like to share more detailed experiences with you on this topic. I have not been lucky on getting quick parts replacement or repairs for Assembled computer parts in warranty period. Once, one of my Assembled PC in warranty developed rebooting problem (even if it was in CMOS setup) and the dealer Engineer diagnosed it to be a motherboard problem. The motherboard was sent for repair and when it came back after one month after numerous reminders and fights on phone, it had the same rebooting problem. I was literally pulling my hair and had to fight with the dealer for getting a working motherboard from him. Also, the repair of Assembled computer parts are not reliable and doesn’t work for longer duration. I have got number of repairs done for Assembled computer parts from various component level repairing shops and they all have mostly failed in next 2-4 months. These are the reasons I don’t trust using assembled PC’s for critical purposes and decided to buy branded computer for professional purposes.

Coming back to my present branded Dell Vostro 400 PC, I have taken 2 years extended warranty on it and Dell executives have promised me that they will make my PC up at the site in maximum of two days. Luckily the PC is working fine from last four months and I have still to test if Dell completes their business promise of making the PC operational in two business days in case my PC hardware fails in the warranty period.

Thanks again for your comments.

rajeshmago November 26th, 2008 at 12:08 am

I had a chance to take technical support (offsite) and part replacement (onsite) from DELL, Bangalore for my branded DELL Vostro 400 desktop PC. My experience is shared at: http://www.pctipstricks.com/?p=47

I am sure that it helps add value to this debate topic.

Please share your advice and experience of Buying the Assembled or Branded computer to help friends who are in doubt and fix over which one to go for?

Computer retailer August 4th, 2009 at 9:03 pm

I dont know about other people opinion but for me i rather build my own rig than buy a packaged one or a branded one. I dont think that the system that you will have is lousy because you have more control on what stuff will be inside your computer. You have the the control over your budget and you can even create a rig that is more powerful than those branded packages in the stores.

rajeshmago August 5th, 2009 at 6:38 am

Computer retailer: Yes, if you have really good knowledge of computer parts – their prices and quality, then you should definitely build your own PC. I agree.

Computer Repair Lincoln Ne September 19th, 2009 at 9:12 pm

Great article and spot on for the most part. Good to see a breakdown, most people just say custom built are better without really considerring the possibilities. A great point is that you may just not have the time and effort to troubleshoot and fix problems. Though warranties are 1 yr for branded, that first year is when you will put the most software on it and probably run into the most problems.

If you ever have any questions ask us at:
Computer Repair Omaha Nebraska or
Computer Repair Lincoln Nebraska

Computer Repairs Luton November 24th, 2009 at 9:45 pm

I do believe it depends on the person who owns it. If you are tech savvy you may probably build one yourself. This way you will get more for your money and you will build a machine that suits your needs. If however you work at a medium to large firm and you need to buy a few computers at a time then buying a branded machine makes sense as you will get a 3 year next day warranty.

rajeshmago November 25th, 2009 at 3:48 pm

@Computer Repairs Luton: I agree with you. In India, according to my experience, it’s better to have a written agreement between the dealer and customer with the details of warranty of each of every part – duration, time in which it will be repaired and the type (carry in or at home) etc. for both assembled and branded PC. I have never got at home warranty with repair duration of 1-2 days for assembled PC. Talking of an assembled PC, it’s difficult to carry PC/part for repair to the service centre, give it, confirm when it has been repaired and then bring it back. So, I decided to go for a Dell branded PC. I have faced three problems (one of motherboard, one of keyboard and one of mouse – all minor – no downtime) in last 19 months and all the three times, I was given a brand new working part within one day. I can’t expect such service for assembled PC in India. If your assembled PC downtime is a concern for you and you are not getting a best deal (repair within 1 day) then probably you can get the same uptime guarantee from a branded PC manufacturer. Also, if you can get direct service from the company, it would be best. In my case, I get service from Dell Bangalore though my PC is in New Delhi. Hope this advice helps!

refurbished computers July 24th, 2010 at 9:32 pm

I do believe it depends on the person who owns it. If you are tech savvy you may probably build one yourself. This way you will get more for your money and you will build a machine that suits your needs. If however you work at a medium to large firm and you need to buy a few computers at a time then buying a branded machine makes sense as you will get a 3 year next day warranty.

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