很久(Way)以前，我有一家培训公司，也销售和维修电脑。那时的电脑大多是台式机——很容易打开，随心所欲。当然，品牌电脑也在那里——带有警告：打开封条将使保修失效( Opening the seal will void the warranty)。
对于热情的技术人员来说，这是一个不。无论如何，我们不会在这里将DIY 电脑(Computers)与品牌(Branded) 电脑(Computers)进行比较。相反(Rather)，由于今天的情况与当时的情况大不相同，我们将并列列出品牌电脑的好处和DIY台式电脑的好处。这样，您将能够自行判断哪个选项更适合您——品牌计算机或组装或DIY台式机。
品牌电脑与组装
在开始之前，让我们将它们分类为DIY台式机、组装电脑和品牌电脑。DIY可能属于组装电脑的范畴，但在本文中，我们将使用“组装电脑”一词来指代专业公司为其客户组装的电脑。这篇文章的大部分内容都是关于台式机的，但也适用于笔记本电脑和其他形式的计算机。
品牌电脑(Branded Computers)、组装(Assembled)或DIY 台式(DIY Desktop)电脑
早在 2003-4 年，人们就认为与本地组装的计算机相比，品牌计算机意味着更多的钱。我们在向他们展示品牌计算机的价格的同时，向他们提供了组装计算机的估算值。客户知道我们更了解计算机，他们相信我们。我认为我们没有撒谎，但确实得到了订单——尽管不是来自银行等大机构的批量购买。我们公司没有那么大，无法向他们灌输信心，我们将再呆五年，为他们提供现场故障排除服务。但我们肯定要看看他们使用的计算机。看看他们的CPU(CPUs)（更确切地说是CPU机柜），我们可以看出它们都是组装好的。
从那时起时代变了。那时(Back)，人们更喜欢具有成本效益的计算机，可以做他们想做的事情——办公室工作或个人。游戏等图形密集型计算机也在那里，但与其他需求相比，需求相当低。当前时期看到了不同需求的组合。人们(People)想要既能玩游戏又能看电影的办公电脑。自然地，配置发生变化并成为两种或多种计算机的组合。
品牌电脑(Computers) 节省时间(Save Time)，组装(Assembled) 电脑(Computers) ……杂乱无章(Are…Messy)？
借助品牌计算机相对于组装计算机的优势，您可以节省大量购买一台计算机的时间。例如，制造具有成本效益的“组装”游戏计算机可能需要对零件进行大量研究，而购买具有成本效益的“品牌”计算机则意味着仅对配置进行研究。因此，您可以节省大量时间。
万一以上不清楚，要拥有一台DIY电脑，您首先必须知道所有部件都需要什么，这些部件都由谁销售以及这些部件的容量 - 更不用说成本和保修等。相比之下，在线比较品牌计算机非常耗时。一些公司确实提供DIY套件，但由于配置是预先确定的，因此它们与品牌并没有太大区别。
反过来，这意味着您记录成本、保修、地址、您所在地区服务提供商的电话号码的文件和材料文件，以及您在*您*的组装DIY计算机中使用的几乎每个部件的其他详细信息偏爱的配置。有组织的混乱？！
品牌计算机与组装计算机的成本和保修(Cost & Warranty For Branded Computers vs Assembled Computers)
品牌电脑的成本可能会高一些。您可能不得不接受与您的实际想法略有不同的配置，但随后，保修开始发挥作用 - 让您在遇到技术问题时高枕无忧。品牌计算机对整台计算机进行保修，这意味着如果任何部件出现故障，您只需要求计算机品牌（而不是部件品牌）的当地服务中心进行检查。
DIY和组装电脑的成本各不相同，而且您经常可以讨价还价。至少根据我的经验，如果客户需要低于XYZ美元的卡，我们会为他们提供两种或更多选择。但是，成本与性能也是您需要探索的问题。任何其他显卡都不如Nvidia一样好。你会同意吗？如果我需要一台游戏电脑，我会坚持使用最好的具有充足内存的显卡！
(Warranty Problems)DIY电脑(Case)的保修问题_
如果您正在构建自己的计算机，您可能会得到您想要的所有部件。换句话说，计算机配置可能正是您想要的。但是，保修不是针对整台计算机，而是针对零部件。反过来，这意味着您必须保存有关多个服务中心的信息——每个零件一个。比如主板服务中心、处理器服务中心、开关电源(SMPS)服务中心、显卡、显示器等等。您肯定可以通过购买单一品牌的备件来节省一些麻烦。不可能从单一品牌购买每个零件，但您可以将它们组合在一起——英特尔(Intel)主板、英特尔(Intel)芯片、英特尔(Intel)显卡！
无论如何，如果您将零件分组，您就可以省去麻烦，这样您就必须记下较少数量的服务中心。另外，请确保您所在地区有这些零件的服务中心，否则会很麻烦。(Anyway, you get to save on the trouble if you divide the parts into groups so that you have to note down fewer numbers of service centers. Also, make sure you have the service center for these parts in your area, else it will be trouble.)
(Warranty)组装(Assembled) 电脑(Computers) 的保修- 与(– Same)品牌(Branded) 电脑(Computers)相同
妥协可能是获得组装好的计算机。在这种情况下，供应商会尽力为您提供最接近您想要的配置。通常，这些供应商会试图说服您使用替代配置——他们知道那些容易获得和维护的配置。但是由于这些类型的供应商不希望失去一个客户，因此您可以让他们了解您必须拥有该配置！
尽管如此，保修将始终针对整台计算机（显示器可能是一个例外）。在这种情况下，如果某个零件出现问题，则让供应商头疼的是要纠正或更换该零件。这可能是一条中间道路——如果您不确定某品牌计算机是否适合您的需求，并且如果您不愿意冒着损坏的计算机因部件损坏而长期闲置的风险！
概括(Summary)
以上是否意味着我说你应该选择品牌电脑？不完全是！这取决于你想做什么，更重要的是——你需要花多少时间来构建计算机。您的预算也包括在内。
如果您需要大量计算机，您愿意坐下来自己组装每台计算机吗？在这种情况下，您可以查看品牌桌面。如果您注重成本，您还可以查看提供组装计算机的供应商，如果您幸运的话，您可能会得到一笔不错的交易。
但是，如果您想要的正是您心中所想的东西，并且您可以花费所需的时间，那么DIY计算机是最适合您的，因为它们将具有您想要的配置。除此之外，您还可以获得构建自己的机器的满足感。许多人仍然这样做，尤其是那些进入在线游戏的人——只是为了把它变成自己的满足。这里有一个不相关的例子：在从知名公司购买了三组 3.1 扬声器后，我将它们全部丢弃以构建我的音响系统。花了一点时间，但我得到了我想要的声音，而不必在 16Khz 和 32.5 Hz 频率上妥协。大多数品牌音响系统都会杀死这些频率！
因此，由您决定哪一个更适合您(Thus, it is up to you to decide which one is better for you)。需求不同；紧迫性各不相同；预算不同；数量不等。基于所有这些因素，只有您可以决定是否购买品牌电脑，DIY台式机或组装电脑(The need varies; urgency varies; budget varies; quantity varies. Based on all these factors, only you can decide whether to go for branded computers, DIY desktops or assembled computers)。
阅读下一篇(Read next)：使用这些在线工具构建您自己的计算机(Build your own Computer using these online tools)。
小投票(A SMALL POLL)
你更喜欢哪一个，为什么？
- 品牌电脑
- 供应商组装的计算机
- DIY电脑——由你组装
我们很想在评论中听到“为什么”！
Branded computer vs Assembled or DIY desktops – Which is Best For You?
Way back, I had а trаining firm that also sold and repaired сomputеrs. Computers, at that time, were mostly desktops – еaѕy to open and do whatever you likе. Of course, branded computers too were there – with a warnіng: Opening the seal will void the warranty.
For passionate technical people, it was a No. Anyway, we will not do a comparison of DIY Computers with Branded Computers here. Rather, since the scenario is much different today from what it was in those days, we’ll list the benefits of branded computers side by side to benefits of DIY desktop computers. That way, you will be able to judge on your own, which option suits you better – a branded computer or assembled or DIY desktop.
Branded computer vs Assembled
Before beginning, let’s categorize them as DIY desktops, assembled computers and branded computers. DIY may fall under the category of assembled computers but in this article, we’ll use the phrase “assembled computers” to refer to computers assembled by professional firms for their customers. Most of the article talks about desktops but stands good for laptops and other forms of computers as well.
Branded Computers, Assembled or DIY Desktop Computers
Back in 2003-4, people were of the mindset that branded computers mean much more money compared to locally assembled computers. We gave them estimates of an assembled computer while showing them the prices of branded computers. The customers knew that we know more about computers, and they believed us. I don’t think we lied but sure got orders – though not from bigger institutions like banks etc. that purchased in bulk. Our firm was not that big to instill confidence in them that we’ll stay another five years to offer them on the spot troubleshooting. But we sure got to look at the computers they were using. Looking at their CPUs (rather, the CPU cabinets), we could tell they were all assembled.
Times changed since then. Back then, people preferred a cost-effective computer that can do what they want – office work or personal. Gaming etc graphic-intensive computers too were there but the demand was pretty low compared to other needs. The current period sees a combination of different needs. People want office computers that can also play games and let them watch movies. Naturally, the configuration changes and becomes a combination of two or more types of computers.
Branded Computers Save Time, Assembled Computers Are…Messy?
Coming to the advantages of branded computers over assembled computers, you save plenty of time in acquiring one. Building a cost-efficient ‘assembled’ gaming computer – for example – could take a good deal of research for parts whereas going for a cost-efficient ‘branded’ computer would mean research only for configurations. Thus, you save a lot of time.
Just in case the above is not clear, to have a DIY computer, you will first have to know what all parts are required, who all are selling those parts and capacities of those parts – not to mention costs and warranty, etc. That in contrast to comparing branded computers online is pretty time-consuming. Some companies do provide DIY kits but then, they are not much different from branded as the configuration is pre-determined.
That, in turn, means papers and papers of material where you note down costs, warranty, address, phone number of service providers in your area, and other details for almost every part you’d use in an assembled DIY computer of *your* favored configuration. Organized mess?!
Cost & Warranty For Branded Computers vs Assembled Computers
Costs may be a little higher for branded computers. You may have to settle down for a little different configuration than what you exactly have in your mind but then, the warranty comes into play – offering you peace of mind when it comes to technical problems. Branded computers carry a warranty on the entire computer, meaning if any part goes down, you can simply ask the local service center of the computer brand (and not the part brand) to check it out.
Costs for DIY and assembled computers vary, and more than often, you get to bargain. At least from what I know from my experience – if a customer needs a card below XYZ dollars, we’ll present them with two or more alternatives. But then, cost vs performance is also an issue that you need to explore. Any other graphics card is not just as good as Nvidia. Would you agree on that? If I need a gaming computer, I will insist on the best available graphic card with plenty of own memory!
Warranty Problems in Case of DIY Computers
If you are building your own computer, you may get all the parts that you want. In other words, computer configuration may be exactly what you want. But then, instead of the warranty being on the entire computer, it is on parts and components. That in turn, means that you have to keep the information about more than one servicing center – one for each part. For example, service center of the motherboard, a service center for processor, service center for SMPS, video cards, monitors, and all the other things. You sure can save some trouble by going for spares from a single brand. Not possible to buy every part from a single brand but you can group them – Intel motherboard, Intel chips, Intel graphics!
Anyway, you get to save on the trouble if you divide the parts into groups so that you have to note down fewer numbers of service centers. Also, make sure you have the service center for these parts in your area, else it will be trouble.
Warranty for Assembled Computers – Same as Branded Computers
A compromise could be to get an assembled computer. In this case, the vendors try their best to provide you with the closest they can come up with the configuration you want. More than often, these vendors will try to convince you for alternate configurations – the ones they know are easily available and serviceable. But since these types of vendors are the ones who wouldn’t like to lose a single customer, you can make them understand you HAVE to have that configuration!
Despite that, the warranty will always be on the entire computer (monitors may be an exception). In this case, if a part goes wrong, it is the headache of the vendor to get the part corrected or replaced. This could be a middle path – if you are not sure if a branded computer suits your needs and if you are not willing to risk broken computers lying idle for ages due to damaged parts!
Summary
Does the above mean I am saying you should go for branded computers? Not exactly! It depends on what you want to do and more importantly – how much time do you have to spend on building the computer(s). Your budget also comes into the picture.
If you need a good number of computers, would you be willing to sit down and assemble each one on your own? You can check out branded desktops in this case. If you are cost-conscious, you can also check out vendors offering assembled computers and if you are lucky, you might get a good bargain.
But if you want exactly the thing you have in your mind and you can spend the time required, DIY computers are the best for you as they will have the configuration you want. Over that, you also get the satisfaction of building your own machine. Many people still do it, especially the ones into online gaming – just for the sake of turning it to own satisfaction. An unrelated example here: After buying three sets of 3.1 speakers from renowned companies, I trashed them all to build my sound system. It took a little time, but I get the sound I want, without having to compromise on 16Khz and 32.5 Hz frequencies. Most branded sound systems kill these frequencies!
Thus, it is up to you to decide which one is better for you. The need varies; urgency varies; budget varies; quantity varies. Based on all these factors, only you can decide whether to go for branded computers, DIY desktops or assembled computers.
Read next: Build your own Computer using these online tools.
A SMALL POLL
Which one do YOU prefer, and why?
- Branded Computers
- Assembled Computers by Vendors
- DIY Computers – Assembled By You
We’d love to hear ‘Why” in the comments!
