Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Do you prefer brand-name or generic computers?

Apr 20, 2005 4:37AM PDT

Do you prefer brand-name or generic computers?

Brand name (tell us why)
Generic (tell us why)
Either one, makes no difference
None, I prefer the ones I build myself (tell us why)

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
I choose brand-name computers
Apr 21, 2005 10:02PM PDT

Call me lazy if you wish. The majority of consumers such as my self are computer "users" vs computer "operators" ... software "users" vs programmers. I do not have the background knowledge or the available time/desire to build our own. I admire those that have the ability to assemble their own systems but for me a computer is a tool to get a specific task accomplished whether it be business or leisure. Having a brand vs generic computer means that it is often easier to find plug & play expansion accessories where my system can be bigger and better without effort. Buying a brand computer means that I will get a software bundle of recognized industry standard programs that I can get additional documentation and help with in magazines and at my corner bookstore. There are programs I do not use but I can remove them or leave them in a dusty corner of my less than 70% capacity hard drive.

- Collapse -
Brand name
Apr 21, 2005 10:11PM PDT

Because I em familiare with it.

- Collapse -
Generic preference
Apr 21, 2005 10:23PM PDT

I have had poor luck with big name brand PC's.
, components didn't last long.
A no name local shop built unit has outperformed the name brands by quite some time!, a few components have been upgraded/updated, but the basic unit runs strong and reliably

- Collapse -
Partially agree
Apr 22, 2005 12:47PM PDT

Have not had trouble with components from branded PCs, but I can get the same or better performance for less bucks from generic PCs.

- Collapse -
Generic
Apr 21, 2005 10:33PM PDT

I will order a new generic machine if and when I buy an new one. The reason: the excellent computer store we have locally. The service is number one and I tell them what I want installed they put in name brands. So only the case is generic basically.

- Collapse -
brand name or generic
Apr 21, 2005 10:43PM PDT

hello:
i perfer generic computers. i feel the generic is just as good for a cheaper price.
ken

- Collapse -
I've built my own....
Apr 21, 2005 10:54PM PDT

I have built my own computers for the last 23 years. I can only get exactly what I want when I purchase each and every component and build the system myself. I definitly would not refer to them as generic. They are works of many arts. I use only the best name brand parts and components in each computer I build. So I prefer to refer to them as "CUSTOM BUILDS!" I can also build these custom computers at a very competitive if not lower price when compared to name brands or generics either one.

Thank You...

- Collapse -
Generic PC's
Apr 22, 2005 12:51AM PDT

Yes I agree. My first 2 computers were, A tandy and an AST.. Since then I either just Upgrade by buying the Bare-Bones and go from there. Drivers, hardware and all are easier to install, and it is Your PC. Wink

As far as Dell and a few others, they just don't make things simple when installing device drivers.. I will stick with my Home-grown PC's..

I too, make sure I have the better parts and yes warranty's are in place for all the hardware.

- Collapse -
Brand Name
Apr 21, 2005 10:58PM PDT

My occupation requires so many hours each week that I simply don't have the time to learn how to build my own pc although it's something I've always wanted to do. As for brand names, I need the reliability of a major company because I've had computers that came out of the box with severe issues. For what I need, however, the brand names are fewer and fewer and I'm beginning to feel squeezed.

- Collapse -
Build my own
Apr 21, 2005 11:08PM PDT

I have bought two or three machines in the past, and despite their being "burned in", I always had trouble with them.

In the end, I found that if you were prepared to sit down, list your requirements, then check on different manufacturers websites for the best product - and the specs for that product, you can't go far wrong.

The big headache is in actually building the type of machine you want, or very near, as you can always upgrade later. The machines offered "Off The Shelf" rarely have all the requirements you need. If you need to get up and running quickly, then that's the way to go, indeed I did just that recently, then stockpiled quite a few more items, new motherboaard, CPU, fans and graphics card - I already have a good sound card so that wasn't needed.

It took about 2 hours one weekend to open up the manufacturers case, remove all but the power supply and install the new parts. The fun bit was getting a new OS up and running, as I'd also bought a complete new OS rather than rely on the manufacturers OEM OS.

The result is a new computer that is as near as possible what I want in a machine.

- Collapse -
I like to know what's in the food I eat...
Apr 21, 2005 11:12PM PDT

And what components are in the computer I own. I don't think I'll ever buy another off the shelf PC. Yeah, maybe I spend a bit more for components, but I know exactly what I'm getting and it won't be junk. A $300.00 PC sounds great, but what do you actually get for your money? A budget processor, integrated sound or video that you may or may not be able to upgrade in the future, and other cost-cutting parts. Those systems are fine if you just want to send email or surf to web, but I want more from my system.

By the way, there are some great online computer parts distributors with very competitive prices. Some 'build-your-own' sites even allow you to choose your components, check to make sure everything is compatable, and then do the actual build for you!

- Collapse -
I like to build my computer
Apr 21, 2005 11:15PM PDT

I decided that I don't want to pay the high price for taking my computer to a repair shop anymore. So I decided to build my own and take care of it myself. I have had fewer problems since making the decision and my costs have gone down. Also, my computer gets upgraded more frequently.

- Collapse -
Self Built
Apr 22, 2005 12:08AM PDT

Oh there is no doubt that self built is what is better.
I have striped all the name brand ones apart.
I can say yes you are correct you wont save any money.
Why because in an effort to give you the lowest price possible name brands buy the cheapest garbage they can get their hands on. From using inadequate power supplies to power supplies wired backwads specifically to force you to buy their parts at over inflated prices.
All the way to such cheap stuff as buying motherboards with the jumpers specifically removed so that you cannot upgrade. There all the same.
How do you think they get the price down so low?
It certainly isnt out of their great generosity, I can tell you that.
Yes you will spend the same or a little more building your own but you can pick and specify what you want and build a machine thats more powerfull, more suited to your needs and upgradeable. Mind you some people like to get just what they pay for so this wont mean a,lot to them.

- Collapse -
Prefer generic to brand
Apr 22, 2005 12:25AM PDT

With generic you get what you want not what some brand thinks you should have.

- Collapse -
Don't waste your time on ONE home build, TRY 4!
Apr 22, 2005 12:29AM PDT

PARTS DUDE! IT's SYNERGISTIC!
Building one PC is pretty much a time consumming affair and I don't think you gain any efficiency unless you get people together. What you should do is get 3 or 4 people who need a spec. PC and Build 4-5 EXACTLY the same... I guess that was the idea behind Michael Dell's company but unfortunately he's so into INTEL he's lost me as a customer.(guess which chips I like?) and we had to return to building the RIGHT PC.

When we build a series of four PCs, we will always keep a fifth MOBO... divided by the cost of 4, it's roughly 50 bux insurance that if something goes wrong we can have the system back up quicker than any 24/7 service claim they can! This way all friends can find tricks, drivers and share a common inventory of spare parts. If you stick to huge series memory modules (try that with branded stuff or obscure generics... tales can be ugly!) and SATA drives. the only tough decision will be a stable proven Graphics cards.
My rule of thumb is that we buy drives that are 2.5x times bigger every two years. Right now we run systems on 200GB up from 80GB in Raid 1 hot swap. After having our whole house inventory of electronic gadgetry stolen, I learned that there are never enough backups (they stole all 8 drives not an mp3 to be found short of a 20Gb Ipod and a 256MB flash player!..) so now we keep a third 200gb in a bank vault! my pics are with webshots and I carry a 512MB flash drive around my neck... ( geek enough for ya?)

SOFTWARE INSTALLS= GROUP ACTION!
One thing branded PCs often do better is deliver a system that works right OFF the ON switch or is that right ON the OFF switch? I guess they don't want to antagonize 5000 customers at a time so they make a reasonable effort here. They also get huge volume rebates from publishers so I have yet to see homebuilt PC get an edge here. IF you are intent on going to home build path, you need to be prepared and manage your BASIC software purchases as a group. You can install the same OS, patches etc. and everyone gets to start on an even footing. WHERE YOU WIN IS AFTER THE FIRST DAY! For each series PCs, I start a Yahoo group and I encourage members to post any major patches, upgrades or work around that they come across. It's alot more fun and pertinent to read and deal with 5 identical clones than wasting countless hours reading about people's stories with WAY WAY different machines to help you fix YOUR problem! WE also subscribe to a driver update site that mails each week what has come up. This takes LESS than 10 minutes a week and your system purrs along. WE use 7 protections tools ( not one American but that's just a coincidence) and we buy all the licenses for the two years up front. Amazing here how receptive these 7 companies are to two years up-front licenses. WE use the yahoo group to tell each other. With today's tech and it's funny when the two year anniversary comes up everyone is eager to build the next series...
All stuff runs in a weekend max...
yet to have made a Sunday tee-off though

PRICE REBATES and BARGAINING TACTICS
Now if you managed to read this far, here is a good bargaining trick which you can apply to any major purchase. You can call a distributor or a volume etailer and if you can show an order for $10K of computer parts right around the end of the month, you can usually cut a pretty nice discount especially on shipping and additional parts for the same money. I learned along time ago that if you start with a number it's much easier to get MORE parts for that number than to try to cut the price. Salesman work on targets and those are usually DOLLAR numbers not number of units. Think of the sales guy around the water cooler, he'd rather brag about his sales NUMBERS than the way he had to grovel to get them. SO ask for that EXTRA drive, a couple of mem modules, a larger drive. It's much better business for them to sell to ONE purchaser than to 4 or 5. You're doing HIM a favour. He should reciprocate! Also if one salesman says NO, it doesn't mean that the guy in the NEXT booth is not more desperate to make HIS numbers... Biggest mistake is to give up on the company. Call back next day... Start on the 29th...
Any large distributor will work C.O.D so get that check ready and ask for that cash discount too.

Now that i have antagonized almost every one actually profiting from the home build industry
I can only invite you to come back next month where I am willing to entertain you on:

WHich protection to get and from whom and why!

WHy computer hardware engineers SHOULD be sent to Play mobile design school and get zapped a bit for their arcane functional design skills!

- Collapse -
I am interested contact me I think I have my email in my pro
Apr 22, 2005 9:18AM PDT

If not possible let me know and I will correct that Happy.

Nice idea and if that mean you would like to have a Canadian in your group I am in as I intend to built another one this year.

- Collapse -
building PCs
Apr 24, 2005 2:41AM PDT

current Build is
ANTEC Sonata II case
ASUS a8v-e MOBO
AMD64 3500+ 90nn
1Gb OCZ low lat. PC3200
2 x 200gb Seagate ST3200822 AS RAID 1
OS XP PRO update 2.0
ATI AIW X600 pro
3.5" floppy 6 slot card reader
TEAC 16/16 DVD double sided burner
7 licenses for protection...
AS luck would have it I'm in Montreal...

- Collapse -
Built My Own
Apr 22, 2005 12:30AM PDT

I prefer a computer I built up myself. The hunt for just the *right* components is half the fun, in the first place. I do in fact, find it costs less money in the second place. And I can upgrade components in the third place. The satisfaction of success when the tning actually works can't be beat. Add to that the possibilities of custom configuration, and you have the reason for my preference.

Downside, as I see it, no factory warrantee or service agreement. But sometimes they aren't worth the paper they're printed on anyway.

- Collapse -
Do you prefer brand-name or generic computers?
Apr 22, 2005 12:36AM PDT

Good question and it has many answers too.
1: I own 7 computers now and my first one was a new HP Pavilion 8580C Windows 98 Intel P-3 with a 19 inch Monitor and with all the trimmings. 500 Mg This one I call "Meko` the Magician" because I learned all I know from this Magician. He has hid files that took me years to find.

2: Next came my Laptop Compact Presario with Windows ME. Slow but reliable as all get out. Still got it too. Great little machine.

3:Now we come to my own put together wild speed freak. A Athlon 1.3 with 2 hard drives Windows XP Pro and I was so glad I had them too, when my power supply went out and blew my Mother Board too. Saved all my data on second hard drive so there ya go, another story all my itself. Never buy a cheap power supply, they will ruin you in the end.

4: I now have a little HP Pavilion 523W with Windows Home. 2.4 Gig Pentium 4 and I use it more now than all the rest because I have 1 Gig on memory in it. I do a lot of graphics so I really like it.

5: Spares I bought at yard sales for backups and parts.

Answer to your question now. I use them all at different times because of software incompatibility.

Meko` is my favorite, but I use my Windows HP Home the most because it is so smooth with my scanner, camera and my web site building. It does a lot for me behind the scene's. Where with old 98, well you would had to been there in 1999 when I had the Blue screen blues and all the shut downs on it's own. I recommend that if you are new to PC's that you buy a Brand name PC with Windows XP Home and when you feel like it try building one on your own with the help of some good folks like Computer Renaissance http://www.computerren.com/ why? because they are the best around in my book for not cheating you. Many local shops want your left arm pits to even look at your PC to check it out for you. But building your own has it's rewards too. Neon lights, with see thru side panels, Funky Mod Boxes and USB night lights with fish swimming around and much much more.

But for printing, scanning old photos and doing graphics, I would say stay with HP Pavilions with all the trimmings and you will never regret it. And that you can take to the bank.

btw: Get www.iespell.com for your browser too, so your post will look good like this one, "No Spelling errors" He Haw!

Thought of the day: Nothing is free except advice.

Quote of the week: "If your only measure of value is color, then you shall never appreciate the transparency of diamonds."

- Collapse -
Build it Yourself
Apr 22, 2005 12:40AM PDT

It is the only way to get exactly what you want. Another feature is that you do not get the Brand software, advertising how great this/that company is to clutter up your machine.

- Collapse -
you are partly correct
Apr 22, 2005 12:41AM PDT

building your own computer is better than the off the shelf, what happen it breaks down! no part/s avaiable at store etc, wait 1 or greater weeks to get your system back!


i'd build my own at kept most of the parts
case,dvd,cd r/rw,floppy,video card,fax modem card etc.

the only thing was change........................... p/s,mb,ram,cpu,software at 60.00 (legal that is).that's it! when parts breaks down during warranty of 90 day or more of the part/s get an exchange (or get something little better)with your reciept and have your system up and running in mins or hrs or the next day! (depending what's wrong) and by the way i'd spent at least 400.00

also by the way, it is running very well look at the people who buy m/b's etc in cnet.com store and pcworld.com read the reviews! of the parts your interesting in.

- Collapse -
I prefer to buy
Apr 22, 2005 12:51AM PDT

I have built computers in the past, and it is good experience, but I now look at a computer as a tool, and I'd much rather use a tool effectively than figure out how to build it first!

- Collapse -
Home built for me - brand name for my friends
Apr 22, 2005 1:19AM PDT

Hi. I get asked this alot. I build my own, and sometimes for my friends. Most most often I suggest that they buy a name-brand PC (usually Dell or HP/Compaq).

For others, it boils down to how much they want me to continue helping/supporting them. If they are next door, I'll build them one. If they are more than one area code away, I tell them to " get a Dell, dude."

...and my reason is always the same: Windows gradually gets mixed up, slows down, and becomes hamstrung with registry issues and other problems. At that point we all ask ourselves "why is this computer slower than when I bought it, since I'm running the same programs".

That moment happens somewhere between 6 and 12 months, depending on how much software you install and how much spyware gets into your system. That is often the point at which it is better to format the hard drive and do a "fresh" windows install.

In school, we learned that the three "R"s are Reading, 'riting, and 'rithmatic... In computer science, they are Reboot, Reset, and Re-install.

So, I build them myself to make sure I can get back to "factory fresh" as fast and reliably as possible. That's why I recommend Dell & HP for those that are too far away for me to help with that. Both Dell and HP have a history of putting good restore mechanisms in their systems so users can have a "do over" periodically. It puts the user in control and helps to mitigate the inevitable impoding that Windows continues to experience (although it is much improved with XP - finally).

The other benefit to me is that I can mix and match parts to make better use of the inevitable pile of parts that I accumulate as I upgrade or change my PCs. As a bonus, I periodically find I have enough parts left over to build a decent PC for someone heading off to college, or for use in the church office, etc.

As far as cost, I don't think it costs more or less... I try to keep it about the same. My rule of thumb is:

"Can I build to last-year's Alienware desktop level for half of what I can buy the current state-of-the-art system." I use Alienware because they tend to stay at the high-end of components and adopt them early - when they are most expensive. (You can use Voo-Doo, Falcon NW, or whomever you consider to be the best.)

So, if the current top-of-the-line rig would be $3,000 from Dell/HP/Alienware, I should be able to get close to their previous model for less than $1500, and I should be able to build a budget PC (2 models behind) from spare parts for about $500-$600.

Example: Current hi-end is a P4-3.6GHz, I would consider last year's to be P4-3.0GHz, and an entry level to be P4 (or Celeron)-2.66 and below. Sure enough, you will find the breakdown for new systems to be $3,000 - $1,500 - $600.

This generally works out, gives me maximum flexibility/control, and efficient use/re-use of the various parts I buy and/or replace over each PC's life-span.

All that sounds complicated, but it allows me to be concise and helpful when people ask me for advice. I can ask one or two questions about where and how they will use the PC, and I can recommend a course of action and target price with complete confidence that they will be happy with the results. They don't ask because they want to hear "that depends", they ask because they want guidance and simplicity and reasonable expectationsfor price and capability.

I hope this helps someone out there!

As an aside, the big pain for me will be when I have to finally adopt PCI-Express, as it represents the biggest cost and least compatibility with the MoBo's and video cards I have today... I better get some of that on my Christmas list for 2005, and I better start asking now...

- Collapse -
Here's Why I am A Gateway Customer
Apr 22, 2005 1:49AM PDT

I'm in my seventies and self-taught. I don't have a guru, nerd, or grandchild to help me out. Dell and Gateway are the only two brands I know that offer unlimited free technical support for the entire time you own the computer. You don't pay long distance charges since they have a toll-free number. Since no one can understand Dell support technicians, you either have to communicate by e-mail (very slow) or forget it.
Gateway has been a lifesaver for me, walking me through reformats on several computers. I'd say that 90% of the technicians I've spoken to really know their stuff, and, if your are not happy with one, just call back and get a different person.

- Collapse -
Generic
Apr 22, 2005 1:49AM PDT

Generic PC's use industry standard conponents (case, power supply, etc.) and are easier to locate parts and hardware... easier to upgrade.

- Collapse -
Better Support With Brand-Name (Not Any More)
Apr 22, 2005 1:52AM PDT

I used to roll my own but started buying brand-name when their prices became more reasonable. I also liked the available support (on my Dell Inspiron, the support was wonderful).

However, with many of the Brand-Name suppliers going offshore with their support, I usually have to resolve any problems myself. Dell and HP support, both very good in the past are now hardly worth the time of the call. Even HP's pay for support calls are useless.

In addition, Brand-Name systems often come with a restore CD instead of the seperate Windows and applications CDs, making it much harder to repair indivual apps or Windows.

- Collapse -
"Incompatable Technology"
Apr 22, 2005 1:43PM PDT

As you said about the off-shore tech support. I have an HP laptop, I recently tried to update Windows Media Player to ver. 10, naturally it uninstalled the previous version. After trying to install I got a "failed to install" message. The reason for the failure was "Incompatable Technology". Huh!!! Tried a 2nd time with same results. I called HP tech support, off-shore of course. After several attempts at communicating my problem, he finally figured out what I was saying, told me that I would have to talk to Tech Support (thought that was the number I dialed?) and they would tell me what settings I would have to change. OK so connect me! But I can't talk to them because my warrenty is up! This isn't a warrenty problem it's a fix or patch problem. 1 yr warranty $70. I told him that I'm not paying $70 to have to make my own repair, so that I can download a FREE upgrade to a program they pre-installed.

The only way to fix this problem is to use the Restore disk they supplied, that will probably delete everything I've saved and any new settings I've made.

So if anyone reading this knows what the correct settings are so I can correct the problem, please let me know.

I have built my own desktop and several more for others and have never received this message. I'll be glad when parts are available so you can build your own laptop, and be able to put in it what you want have have the disks to be able to repair a program if it gets corrupted.

- Collapse -
wmp 10
Apr 26, 2005 11:38AM PDT

you need to have windows xp service pack 2 for wmp 10.

- Collapse -
Brand Name
Apr 22, 2005 2:17AM PDT

Because a refurbished Dell Optiplex, loaded to the gills with MS Office PRO, WinXPPro, etc, etc, is as cheap as can be, along with the identical warranty they give their new machines!

Plus, with the Optiplex, you don't get any crapware--since it's Dell's business line.