Today THE STAR begins one of its latest columns geared towards assisting you with technological decisions and keeping you up to date with the latest developments.

When it comes to searching for a computer, two options are available to you.

You can either visit a store (or a website) and purchase the one you desire, or you can choose the individual parts and assemble it yourself.

So how do you decide which is better for you? There are key advantages to either option.

Pre-assembled computers: These computers are from brand-name companies like Dell, HP, Gateway, Acer and many others.

Custom-built computers: These computers are assembled from parts that are purchased individually then assembled by or for the user.

Buying a PC

Buying pre-assembled PC has a few advantages. These advantages include the following:

❒ You do not have to do the assembling process. Pop it out the box, plug it in and it should work just fine. All you have to do is start up the computer and personalise some settings. Anyone can do it.

❒ Pre-assembled machines will come with preloaded software such as the operating system (Windows) pre-installed on the computer, as custom PCs have to be assembled from scratch, with no software installed.

❒ If you're on a very small budget, you can find a PC that you can afford. A computer today, if you wait for one on sale, can cost you as little as US$300 ($23,400), sometimes even less. You can't build a custom PC for that price. The lower the price point of the computer, the less labour charge will be extended to you by the company for assembly.

❒ Repairs are pretty hassle free because you know exactly where to send the computer for repairs and servicing. The only disadvantage is the waiting period, which sometimes can be lengthy, but aside from that, you will get a satisfactory result.

Building your own PC

There are also benefits to be derived from assembling your own PC. Our preference is to build our own. Here's why:

❒ You can choose exactly what you want in the computer. When you get a PC from a store or website, the options are very limited with regards to what can be done to it. It's hard, if not impossible, to find the exact components you want in a pre-assembled computer. With a custom PC, you buy all the components yourself, so you can shop around for the best parts and the best prices and have your computer with your desired specifications just as you like it.

By technical writer Kamar McIntyre

Explorers Computer Sales & Service Limited,

34-36 Old Hope Road, Kingston 5

Tel: 908-2945, Fax: 754-0920,

Email: sales@explorerscomputerjm.com.