Assembled Vs Branded PCs. Review on Branded Vs. Assembled Computers

Having a computer at home is one of the things kids aspire for. For kids, a PC is a tool to learn new things, explore the net, play games and make projects. For teens, it is a gaming machine, stereo, and a tool for interacting with friends( thru internet). But buying a PC is an important decision for one to make as one has to spend a lot of money.One of the greatest worries of a new PC buyer is that whether to buy a branded PC or an assembled one.

Advantages of an assembled PC:

1. Low cost

   
   




2. Best parts can be assembled( so you can have a hard disk by Samsung, sound      card by Yamaha, speakers by Creative, CD writer by Sony etc.)

   
   




3. Ease of upgradation( because PCs become obsolete in 3yrs)

   
   




4. Individual warranty on each of the components.

   
   

Advantages of a Branded PC:

1. All parts are of the same manufacturer.

   
   




2. Uniform guarantee on all components of a PC .eg a HP PC has a 2yr guarantee on all it's components. Compare this with a Samsung hard disk having a three year warranty or a Yamaha sound card having one year warranty. So, in an assembled PC some parts have more warranty than others.

   
   




3. Good customer service.

   
   




4. Genuine parts assured.

   
   




5. All dealings are directly with the company and not with any vendor.

   
   

Disadvantages of an assembled PC:

1. All dealings are with the vendor from whom the PC has been assembled. If he shuts his shop, then you wil have to search for another reliable shop.

   
   




2. No centralised service is available.

   
   




3. The assembler may con you by using old or discarded parts( this happens very rarely, but nevertheless a possibility).

   
   

Disadvantages of a Branded PC:

1. High cost as compared to assembled PCs.

2.Very costly support services.

1. Difficulty in upgradation.

   
   




2. You have to make do with the configuration the company gives.

   
   

At the end the two most important factors are cost and scope for upgrading on which assembled PCs score but now Branded Pcs have also become a little cheap.

My advice - get an assembled PC by surveying the market, deciding on the configuration, choosing a reliable vendor( one from whom a friend or relative of yours has bought) and bargaining to get the best freedies and discounts.