Denys writes:

>There are only two reasons why you would want to build your own system now.
> 1- You can build it to your own specifications, with the components you
>select.

This is the reason I build my own systems: when I select my own
components, I save money. If I buy a very cheap system, one at a price I
can't beat by building my own, I'm likely to get a number of low-quality
components. The case and power supply is a good example: I can buy a $25
case and power supply, but it's likely to fail in a year, and it's likely
to slice my hands to shreds while I'm working inside it. (It's likely to
be made in the People's Republic of China, a country I avoid buying from
whenever I can). A $500 off-the-shelf computer is also likely to fail in
the first year.

But if I build from high-quality components, I can generally save money
over an equivalent unit from a first-line manufacturer. I can also put
the money where it makes a difference, and not into, say, the processor,
where an AMD K6 will be just as fast and reliable as an Intel processor
but at several hundred dollars less. I also don't have to pay for a copy
of Windows when the machine will be running Linux, something that's just
not available from first-line manufacturers.

In addition, builders can take advantage of longer warranties on some
components. For example, if I buy a computer from a first-line
manufacturer, I'll probably get a one-year warranty. But the internal
components may have longer warranties -- in particular, the disc drives
are likely to have three- or five-year warranties. By buying my own
components, I can take advantage of this.

>On another list, a discussion such as this one raged for a while, and I
>posted my longest post ever.

Maybe this explains AT&T's frame network failure. :-)

-- Bruce


--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bruce Toback    Tel: (602) 996-8601| My candle burns at both ends;
OPT, Inc.            (800) 858-4507| It will not last the night;
11801 N. Tatum Blvd. Ste. 142      | But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends -
Phoenix AZ 85028                   | It gives a lovely light.
btoback AT optc.com                |     -- Edna St. Vincent Millay
Mail sent to [log in to unmask] will be inspected for a
fee of US$250. Mailing to said address constitutes agreement to
pay, including collection costs.