For example only, there is a computer store here in Wichita
that will build you a computer from the components you
select. They will support it. You can select the case,
power supply, mobo, CPU, what ever you want. You can buy
the parts from them and do it yourself or they will put it
together for you. They seem to be pretty sharp and the shop
area is clean and neat. If you don't know what you want or
need they will help you with the project.

Their prices did not seem out of line, in fact they offered
to order a mobo for me and there price was no higher than
New Egg for the same product.

I hope they are still business when I can afford to upgrade
this computer and build a few more for the family.


"w_tom" wrote in message
...
| One major problem with that discount (mom and pop) store
is
| that their power supplies may be missing essential
functions
| that were defacto standard even 30 years ago. Those who
| believe in free markets always buy the best. IOW buy
power
| supplies that meet Intel specifications. Those who would
| protect the technically naive buy inferior products from
| little computer store; whose people never even learned
what
| those essential power supply functions are.
|
| But again. How to know that little computer store does
not
| provide a good product. Where are the comprehensive
| diagnostics for the system? Not only is power supply
missing
| essential functions (that could destroy other computer
| components), but the little computer store does not
provide
| comprehensive diagnostics. Just more reasons why the Dell
| would be a better product.
|
| mouseyface wrote:
| The computer companies, Dell included, are hiring out
| tech support overseas putting techs here out of work.
(If the
| companies here keep sending work overseas soon there
will be no
| one here to buy anything since no one will be working
and they
| will wonder why sells have dropped, eh.) When you call
for
| support you may get a reading from a book and two techs
will give
| you two different answers for the same problem (one may
void your
| warranty, that's how bad it can be). There are horror
stories
| at PC World and various other magazines and web sites
about this.
| You may get someone whose English is so bad that you
can't even
| understand them. It isn't what it used to be, that's
why I build
| my own and have for years (it is easier to return one
bad
| component).
|
| You may want to try a local computer store (mom and pop
variety)
| since, lately, they have been getting better scores (PC
World).
| Make sure that they have been in business for a good
while and
| that they have a good standing with the BBB. Make sure
you get
| everything in writing and what the length of the
warranty and what
| the warranty contains. Make sure of their support. You
can pick
| and choose your components this way - there on site and
it is
| generally cheaper. Some will give you a discount if you
are
| non-profit.
|
| My opinion only!