Buying a branded PC or a custom built PC is an issue on which we might never be able to reach a consensus ever, both have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Personally, I own both a branded as well as a custom built or so called assembled PC and I have had an equally good experience with both of them, so the next time I have to buy a computer, I wouldnt be hellbent on buying only a branded or a custom built PC, my choice will depend on several factors like my requierments, the options available in the market, cost and the vendor(called assembler in India).
I would be presenting a comparative view of both:
In a custom built computer you have the choice to buy exactly what you want and in a branded customer you might not be able to get the exact configuration that you wanted, there might be some or the other variations in hardware cinfiguration or the software specifications and end up paying evenb for bundled’so called gifts; and software that you may never use.
In a custom built computer, you have an array of components available to choose from which may belong to many different manufacturers, however in a branded PC, you get most components of just one brand, or other companies’ components with which the manufacturer has a contract. But you certainly dont have a choice of those many components.
Most computer assemblers assemble components that are available for the cheapest possible price and advertise low prices to lure customers, irrespective of the quality and compatibility, however in branded PCs you have that assurance of only quality components being used.
Local Vendors may not even have the adequate skills and knowhow, to them.any components that are able to boot the computer up and seem to work are compatible; however global companies spend billions doing R&D and know whats the best combination of hardware and which devices would be the most compatible with each other. This results in longer component, system life and certainly improved performance.
{I dont mean to offend anybody, and obviously this doesnt apply to all those who assemble PCs, but everyone will agree that there are many-many such vendors who dont know much about hardware, but they assemble and sell pCs}
- In India, or for that matter in any third world country, any home or small office user who goes for a custom made PC will opt for a pirated copy of windows that all local vendors install. Using pirated software is not only an offence, but you also donot get updates on pirated windows and they are susceptible to more fequent crashes; however all branded PCs come with a legitmate(licensed) copy of Operating system installed on them.
6. After Sales Support: Most Local Vendors donot match the level of service that is available for branded PCs. And even if the local vendors provide support, their solution to any software related issues is to do an over the top install and if that too doesnt work, they’d simply do a format and reinstall, not concerned for your data. HOwever, you get adequate support for branded PCs from people who know the ins and outs of their software and know how to fix it frm the registry or other methods without affecting your data; to them: doing a format or a reinstallation is an exterme measure.
Same applies to hardware support, you can always obtain skilled support for your hardware which an assembler will not provide, for branded PCs, you will never have a problem related to drivers, incompatibility with ther devices and software and all such essential information is available on the manufacturers website.
Overall, the look, the feel, the performance and the sophestication that comes in a branded PC wouldnt be there in an assembled PC, there may be exceptions, but in those cases, the buyer has to be smart enough and have good knowledge about hardware to make sure that what he is getting is worth the price and will form the right combination with other hardware. Similarly, the vendor should have the skills to assemble properly, obtain and provide genuine components and to know what’d be the best combination of devices. And match the after sales support. But in any case, for branded PCs you always have a single point of contact even after the warranty expires, however, if your assembled PC goes bad after your AMC, you would be running to different shops for help regarding different components of the computer.
Due to the lack of overhead costs, lower or no taxes(grey market components), no R&D and pirated software and often sub standard hardware the assembled PCs come for a lower price, the choice is ultimately yours, there is a tradeoff, a gamble!
Thanks for taking the time to read, go ahead and please rate and comment on it:)