Which PC brand is the easiest to upgrade?

[Fran]

I read that most known PC brands make their machines difficult to update. The interior configuration, that is.
Which brand, in your opinion, would be the best to buy if you plan to upgrade it yourself after that? Placement of components, availability of parts, etc... In other words, which PC would be the next best thing to have if you can't build your own?

Or else, convince me to build my own, if you can...

[ranchdog]

Which Brand?.... The Ibuiltit brand can't be beat. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

Luck.

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......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
...... Kickin' A Rock....

[nimnorf2]

Hi Fran,
The question you asked is probably a bit too broad for most of the folks who know what they are doing on this site. I, on the other hand, can only handle the broad questions, (details, will always prove me, inept). That said, in general, most of the "biggies" (brand names with, wide recognition) have some reason to be proprietary in their system designs. Proprietary, means they design stuff which can only be replaced by their parts or their upgrades. That way they make more money and "hold" you as their customer. The smaller guys on the other hand have it in their best interest to design systems that will work with anyones/everyone's system, giving them a broader market to sell their product in. Unless absolute brand loyalty and support are important to you, I'd go with something you build yourself apart from brand name "biggies". Historically, IBM was very proprietary and as far as I know Compaq, still is.
Really, you aren't necessarily getting better parts with a well know brand name, you're just getting their company support in the process, which may or may not be important to you.
There are folks on this site who could build you an excellent system with widely upgradeable parts for a whole lot less $ than anything you'd get with Gateway, Dell, HP or the likes.
Just my opinion, you may get some more hits now that I've communicated some advisory....call this what you will?
peace, and feel free to post back some more ?s

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A man persuaded against his will, is of his old opinion still.

[bassman]

Definatly the IBUILTIT. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif
And if you need help on parts selection, we're by your side http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif

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If I tell you to think for yourself, then you're not doing it.
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This is not directed at those asking questions in order to gain knowledge. That shows you are thinking.

[VR7DETA]

Fran
Building your own computer is not all that difficult,but be fore warned that it is not for the timid or for people lacking in self confidence.If you decide to give it a try I suggest you start with the PC GUIDE where you will find information on all computer components and software of course there is other websites on the internet that can also help you.
Remember,if you hit a rough spot there is people on these forums that will be more than willing to help you out. I know! I have been there!! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Paleo Pete]

Yep, I'll go for the IbuiltIt every time. Most of the major manufacturers use integrated motherboards, the cheapest parts they can find, winmodems, even proprietary OS, tons of garbage pre-installed you don't need and will never use, often have trouble getting rid of, and it all comes back if you have to use their "restore" disk...and most have deplorable tech support. Maximum dollar for minimum computer...

Build your own, you'll have good parts, exactly what hardware and software you want, and you know where to go to learn how to keep it running well or repair it. Or have a local shop build one for you AFTER checking a few shops out with other people to find out who has a good reputation.

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Support the right to keep and arm bears.
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[buck52]

Fran

If I did it, believe me you can http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

As VR7DETA said, read the Pc Guide

buck

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just hav'n fun

[mjc]

Did I hear someone say Compaq? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

No?

What was that...oh anIBUILTIT...yeah that's the one!!!

PS---Compaq is known as being one of the most proprietary ones on the market.

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[fraelorn]

OMG. I about lost it when you said Compaq, don't do that again!..heh..

But yeah, everyone makes building your computer look like such a hard task, and I can say it's not. The hardest part is shopping for parts to fit your needs. Once you got it all it just takes a little time and dedication to get it all togethor, and think of it this way, your saving yourself about 600 bux cause you did the labor yourself.

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Übergamer: He who dies with the most frags wins.

[Jumby]

If you want to build your own, try this book... "Building your Own PC" by Arnie Lee, put out by Abacus Books. It's very easy to read, understand and follow.

[iisbob]

Which Brand?.... The Ibuiltit brand can't be beat! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

Oh Yeah! This is buy far the most upgradeable, and reliable system you wont find on the open market! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/tongue.gif

If you are deadset on purchasing a retail system, the best personal PC's i've seen have been Dell's; and they provide a superior tech support compared to other vendors. Stay Away from Gateway, Bestbuy, Circut City-they charge you extra for support which you get for free from the vendor anyway, and you don't have to put up with silly salesmen who don't know the difference between memory storage and harddrive storage.

"..You've got here 60 Gigabytes of Memory! You can store a 1000 MP3's on this baby!.." quote from a young salesman i overheard at BestBuy


By the way, if you ever read some of my other threads, you've noticed how i beat on BestBuy a lot. I can't help it, they may be computer idiots, but they have good prices!! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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iisbob
"640K ought to be enough for anybody. - Bill Gates, 1981"
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." --Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

[This message has been edited by iisbob (edited 09-30-2001).]

[Whyzman]

Abacus Books...now that sounds like a publisher you can count on! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Did I say that?! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif

Factoring for inflation...my 8 cents worth is definitely the IBUILTIT!!



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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[Supa Dupa]

Fran, go with the Ibuiltit. It's not only instructive, it's fun. Once you assemble your own box, troubleshooting is easier. I'd recommend an Ibuiltit to anybody. With a box from a large vendor, one tends to be weary about going under the hood. Something to do with the warranty or something. And parts can be a problem. My first box was a Dell and they wanted me to buy to buy the RAM from them. Any other RAM would void the warranty. Compare $45.00 Cdn for a 256 MB stick of PC133 SDRAM from Crucial and the same from DEll costing $277.00 Cdn. Ha, right. Warranty, schmarranty. I know have no warranty. I feel so free.

Supa Dupa.

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There's a hole in my memory, dear Liza, dear Liza, there's a whole in my memory, dear Liza, a hole.
Then disable it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, then disable it, dear Henry, dear Henry, disable it.

[chelo]

The Ibuiltit is the way to go! Have fun doing it! Not only will you have a great time doing it, you will learn alot along the way. But remember, It is not as easy as pluging everything together and walla! There will be some frustration along the way. Just accept the frustration and learn along the way.

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Microsoft (M)ore (E)rrors
Microsoft (X)tra (P)roblems

[bugspop1]

Yes, yes & yes! IBUILTIT! I don't know about the rest of you, but I keep on the IBUILTIT path by updating my system over & over. Still in the same ATX case (thumb screw) I built a PII350, PIII450, PIII750 and now AMD 1.4 512mb DDR, 2 40gb hd (new 450w power supply added), yes many other parts along the way. <FONT COLOR=RED><FONT SIZE=3><FONT FACE="TIMES NEW ROMAN"><B><I>IBUILTIT is the ONLY way to go.</B></I></FONT></FONT></FONT> No I don't replace it all at once, just one or two at a time.