Branded PC vs Assembled PC. Review on Buying a Computer

In a country like ours, there is a long unending fight between the quality products and cost efficient Products. This is shown very well on the IT industry. Be it Software or hard ware, I know most of you go for those cheap pirated software than the costly Licensed ones.

When someone asks me to help them chose a computer, I always start speaking about the branded ones like HCL, Compaq bigera bigera. Finally when it comes to the price, BoooooM there he goes. WHAT? ARE YOU CRAZY? This is a question I have confronted more than once from my friends! LoL I guess that’s all in the game. Apparently they have heard about the prices of assembled PCs which comes to 50% or less of a branded PC. Hey pals, hold it right there! Are we overlooking something very important? Haven’t any one of you heard of things like Quality and accountability?

I can tell you with all my faith on the bet that 99% of Assembled PCs are made of cheap inferior hardware which may be just a Knock off or Smuggled in through illegal channels which nullifies its credibility and warranty. Yes, there will be lots of Goof ups, System Hang is a popular word here. Your favorite key becomes CTRL+ALT=DEL May be, the fellow who did it for you offers a one year warranty. What will he do? He comes around when you call him, says the hard disk is out and he will return with a replacement. Then he turns up after a week if you are luck with a fresh box. Chances are, the hard disk in it is an old one that he bought at second hand market. He will install it in your system and you will be really happy. Hey, this fellow just kept his promise of free replacement. Freeeeezzz Don’t be overwhelmed yet. The warranty is in effect for exactly 365 days from the date of purchase of the COMPUTER. Not the replacement. So, what if you got this replacement on 300th day and it conks out again on 400th day? You buy a new one. Think again, had you spent this amount in the beginning, you would be the proud owner of a branded PC, may be a little lower configuration, but definitely faster and bug free.

Software is also another problem here. The PC assembler would have told you that the warranty is only on Hardware, not on Software. Do I have to tell you this guys? On any computer, the software gets corrupted more often than any piece of hardware. For getting this reinstalled, he will charge you at least Rs. 250/-. Count this thrice before the warranty period ends. Had you gone for a licensed version, you could have done this yourself for Free.

If you are buying a pirated software, you are swindling every single authority involved. Lets start with Microsoft. For a second, put yourself in Mr. Gates’ shoes. Wow that feels great, you are rich! Still, do you want to give me some thing worth Rs. 3250 Free? I heard it, that fierce, resonating NO WAY!  Now lets come to the poor man who decided to be an authorized franchisee of a licensed software and you are him. What are you doing now? Banging your head? And where is your responsibility as a valid and proud citizen of India? Believe it or not, you just cheated India Government of its taxes and import duties. Now you know why Indians have to embarrass ourselves by approaching World Bank and IMF for a loan every other day.

Is all these worth it? For a few hundred rupee bills, which you could have afforded anyway. Not only is it a nuisance to you, it is a serious criminal offence too. Most of us feel that nothing is wrong until you are caught. Think for yourself. Is it so?

All this because you decided to save a few rupees which any way you have to pay later. So, friends, my advice is, Try to get a Branded PC next time. That’s where the actual savings is. And stop using pirated software. You don’t want to be responsible for depriving some one of what is rightfully theirs.