The Computer Buzz

April 15th, 2010

Nome and Paul Van Middlesworth - owners - The Computer Factory
 

What Kind of PC Do You Have?

Most folks would answer that question by reading off the name on the front of their PC. Dell, Compaq, HP, Gateway or E-machine would probably be the most common answers. Interestingly, the name on the front of your PC these days conveys absolutely no useful information.

Many, many years ago when Dell, Compaq and Gateway actually manufactured PCs right here in the good ole USA, they competed vigorously with one another to provide the best in product quality and after-purchase customer service. Slowly as the years went by, each of them relinquished control of the products that bear their names. Today their products are designed, manufactured and serviced by third party Asian contractors whose names are unfamiliar to us. The consequential deterioration of product quality and service has been shared equally among them.

Since there is no such thing as an “American” PC manufacturer any more, there is little to choose between the products and services provided under the American logos. E machines, Dells, HPs, Compaqs, and Gateways, are essentially identical, so how do you differentiate between PCs in order to make a rational buying choice?

It’s what’s inside that counts. In order to know whether or not you are getting your money’s worth in your PC purchase today, you must know something about the components inside. The manufacturers of PC components don’t make it easy for you to comparison shop.

For example Intel makes a 3.0GHz “Dual Core” and a 3.0GHz “Core 2 Duo” CPU. The “Dual Core” is slower and costs about half as much as “Core 2 Duo.” A 3.0GHz “i7 Quad” costs about $300 more than a 3.0GHz “Core 2 Quad.” You need to know this when you compare prices.

Things like power supply ratings, video and audio specifications, hard drive size and speed, optical drive, RAM type and speed all come in a range of performance and value options. Motherboards may or may not have features like Gbit Ethernet, dual head video, RCA out, Firewire, E-SATA, HDMI and SPDIF.

There are five versions of Windows 7. The difference in cost between Win 7 Basic and Win 7 Ultimate is as much as $150.

Computer manufacturers often build “specials” for retail sales. Really low priced “specials” are often a conglomeration of low end and “end of life” components that the manufacturer needs to clear from inventory. These “specials” may sell wholesale at or below the manufacturing costs. The American PC brander will pass the low pricing to retailers and make his profit from the advertisers and product trials that clog most new PCs.

The general rules of “caveat emptor” still apply. There are no free lunches and you get what you pay for. While buying a new PC is nowhere near as complicated as selecting a new smart phone, it’s still more complicated than it was in the days when that obnoxious Eddie Haskell “look alike” would high five his teen age buddy with “Dude, you’re getting a new Dell.”