Where should I buy my PC?
September 7, 2011 9:30 AM Subscribe
Who will build me a desktop PC?
I want to buy a ready to go PC. I don't want to build it myself and I don't want a Mac. I've poked around at HP and Dell, but I'm wondering what else is out there. I don't need help picking the components, but I do need help finding the companies.
I would like to spend between $800-$1500 (which seemingly takes AVADirect, Velocity Micro, and the like out of the running). I would like good service and a computer that just works. My husband bought a laptop from PowerNotebooks and we've considered having them build the desktop. I just thought I'd make sure there weren't better options first.
I want to buy a ready to go PC. I don't want to build it myself and I don't want a Mac. I've poked around at HP and Dell, but I'm wondering what else is out there. I don't need help picking the components, but I do need help finding the companies.
I would like to spend between $800-$1500 (which seemingly takes AVADirect, Velocity Micro, and the like out of the running). I would like good service and a computer that just works. My husband bought a laptop from PowerNotebooks and we've considered having them build the desktop. I just thought I'd make sure there weren't better options first.
You can buy pre-made desktop PCs on newegg. I looks like Lenovo and Asus both sell Desktops, mostly "all in one" style machines in the case of Asus, whereas Lenovo makes lots of the classic 'desktop tower' machines. Those are both brands I hear a lot of good things about.
posted by delmoi at 9:48 AM on September 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by delmoi at 9:48 AM on September 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
If you are looking for a gaming PC, CyberPower puts together good systems with quality parts. They do both pre-built and custom desktops.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 9:50 AM on September 7, 2011
posted by Mister Fabulous at 9:50 AM on September 7, 2011
I've always had really positive experiences with Puget Systems.
Their customer service is stellar and they seem really obsessive about QC and reliability. They definitely have systems within the price range you name, but I guess the question is what bang for buck you're looking for with that spend. Of course any integrator is going to mark their stuff up, but in my mind the whole reason to go with an integrator for a desktop at all rather than building your own is to have an expert be responsible for managing the build quality.
posted by strangely stunted trees at 9:53 AM on September 7, 2011
Their customer service is stellar and they seem really obsessive about QC and reliability. They definitely have systems within the price range you name, but I guess the question is what bang for buck you're looking for with that spend. Of course any integrator is going to mark their stuff up, but in my mind the whole reason to go with an integrator for a desktop at all rather than building your own is to have an expert be responsible for managing the build quality.
posted by strangely stunted trees at 9:53 AM on September 7, 2011
Depending on whether there is one near you, Microcenter. Not sure if they ship custom machines if you are not physically near one, though.
posted by ubersturm at 10:11 AM on September 7, 2011
posted by ubersturm at 10:11 AM on September 7, 2011
As far as the big manufacturer's go, Lenovo and Asus are the top contenders when it comes to reliability. Free customer support and a good warranty are also valuable when added to the purchase of a PC. Since the quality of customer support will vary, I'd pick the company that experiences the least amount of calls due to their products being that good.
When building a PC or having a custom made PC, you'll want to pay close attention to whether there is an overall warranty for the system, or just the parts therein. Having just a part warranty isn't necessarily a bad thing, but leads to a scenario where you're just sending the part out to the manufacturer for repair/replacement. If the shop you order through also handles this, YMMV with how quick their turnaround is. Usually I find going to the manufacturer is the quickest and easiest unless the shop is local...and in that case, you can simply drive the part to their shop for an immediate replacement.
posted by samsara at 10:12 AM on September 7, 2011
When building a PC or having a custom made PC, you'll want to pay close attention to whether there is an overall warranty for the system, or just the parts therein. Having just a part warranty isn't necessarily a bad thing, but leads to a scenario where you're just sending the part out to the manufacturer for repair/replacement. If the shop you order through also handles this, YMMV with how quick their turnaround is. Usually I find going to the manufacturer is the quickest and easiest unless the shop is local...and in that case, you can simply drive the part to their shop for an immediate replacement.
posted by samsara at 10:12 AM on September 7, 2011
I've had good experiences with Directron. You can order one of the pre-configured systems with all of the components selected for you, or you can completely design your own by picking out the components yourself and then pay them to put it all together and test it for you. Also they have been around for a long time, a lot of these kinds of sites will be around for a year or two and then disappear which can make it difficult if you pay for any sort of warranty or support.
posted by burnmp3s at 10:13 AM on September 7, 2011
posted by burnmp3s at 10:13 AM on September 7, 2011
I know someone who had excellent experience with System76. He was a Linux guy, and that's what they come with, but installing Windows should be a snap.
posted by supercres at 10:14 AM on September 7, 2011
posted by supercres at 10:14 AM on September 7, 2011
I used AVADirect to put together my wife's Windows 7 box 2 years ago, and the custimer service experience was great, and the machine has been rock solid since day 1. I wouldn't rule them out, since there's lots of configurations in your price range.
posted by jaimev at 10:20 AM on September 7, 2011
posted by jaimev at 10:20 AM on September 7, 2011
If you don't need it right away, watch Woot they regularly (every 2-3 weeks or so) have deals on refurbed computers. I bought mine there about 6 months ago and I'm thrilled with it.
posted by empath at 10:35 AM on September 7, 2011
posted by empath at 10:35 AM on September 7, 2011
Seconding Directron--I've bought two barebones computers for myself and helped friends with several more, and I've had nothing but good experiences with them.
posted by box at 12:39 PM on September 7, 2011
posted by box at 12:39 PM on September 7, 2011
I've had good success with outlet-store machines; usually computers that were returned. If possible, use some of the money for a warranty, at least for the 1st year.
posted by theora55 at 4:31 PM on September 7, 2011
posted by theora55 at 4:31 PM on September 7, 2011
Response by poster: thanks for all the leads! i ended up picking out the Velocity Micro Edge Z40. this cnet review (and a week of research) finally sold me.
posted by nadawi at 6:46 AM on September 16, 2011
posted by nadawi at 6:46 AM on September 16, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by COD at 9:44 AM on September 7, 2011