Custom Built Computers

Custom built computers free you up from the restrictions of the pre-fab packages found in most computing stores. The concept of any custom-built product may suggest a heftier price tag, but when it comes to computers the opposite is often the case. By selecting your own components and bundling them together in a "white box" or generic machine, you can shave hundreds of dollars off the cost of your computer.

If you've never cracked open a case before and gotten into the guts of it, you should probably resist the urge to tinker. Instead, find a local computer specialist who advertises in your neighborhood paper or online and ask him or her to build your computer from scratch. Often he or she can help you select the most appropriate processor, the types of drives you'll need, and all your peripherals.

Buy Custom Built Computers Online

Thanks to internet technology, many of the major computer manufacturers now enable their customers to hand pick their components and accessories. You may pay a little more to have Hewlett-Packard or Dell piece together your machine than you would by going the white box route, but the trade-off in convenience might be worth it to you. With a reputable manufacturer behind you, you know exactly what you're getting and when, and there's a price tag associated with that peace of mind.

Whichever path you choose, custom built computers are a major advantage over pre-packaged systems that dictate what you can and cannot do. In a pinch, if you've already purchased a ready-made system, you can add external components such as a wireless LAN card or a separate (bigger) hard drive. With a little effort (and money), you can turn store-bought Compaq laptops and HP Pavilions into your own custom-built machines.