Buying a Prebuilt Computer - Warranty
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One important part of prebuilt PCs are the warranties you get with them. If something dies, it will be replaced. The difference between prebuilt PCs and ones that you build yourself center around the warranties. With prebuilt, you get OEM products, which don't come with warranties from the manufacturers of the components. If you buy retail hardware, the manufacturer of the hardware will warrant it.
So which route should you go? You might think that prebuilt would be easier since it all goes through the same company no matter what part it is, but you would be wrong. With prebuilt PCs, you usually have to buy any warranty beyond the traditional one year. Buying the parts yourself will run you a couple dollars more, but manufacturers usually warranty their products for 5+ years, some for a lifetime, and at no additional cost. Which one seems better to you? You have to do the RMA stuff yourself, but you get a free 5+ year warranty vs. a 1 year or one you have to pay for.
Conclusion
Not everyone is up to building their own PCs. There are many reasons why someone might buy a PC over building one. When you buy a prebuilt PC, you get compatible hardware and don't have to worry about it not working. You can choose your computer based on the size of the case you want. Sure, you can do that with PC you build yourself, but you won't know of any issues such as the cooler being too big and interfering with something else until you build it.
With a prebuilt PC, you also get the benefit of plugging the PC in and being able to start using it in minutes. With a custom built PC you have to put it together and then install the OS.
There are many benefits to buying a prebuilt PC, but there are also many drawbacks to a prebuilt computer. While you are usually allowed some level of customization, you are limited to what they offer, whereas by building it yourself you can customize every last detail.
The last detail I want to discuss is price. Prebuilt systems do cost a little more than the parts they are worth, but you can't expect them to be the same price and have the company stay in business.
The biggest price gouge is in the warranty. You get one year free, but more will cost you hundreds. Not only isn't your computer worth that much later on, but you are paying for something that only costs a couple of dollars more if you buy the parts yourself.
I like to save the money and build it myself, but many people buy prebuilt systems, and that's okay. I hope that this guide helps you decide which route is for you, and how to get the most you can out of the money you spend for your computer.
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