Computer Geeks. Where do you buy?

[Sonetpro]

I use Tiger Direct... it's a great source

Locally I use Microcenter, the computer candy store of Oakland county... but I don't know if they are anywhere else?

I only build desktops though... for laptops I just buy off the shelf.

Mike...

P.S. I dreaming about a Quad 4 Core CPU, but I can't justify the build yet...

I forgot about Micro Center. I am like a kid in a candy store in there.

[Jiminsav]

Kerry, I thought of that in my reply, but Geron is a big boy and I'm sure if he can build one from scratch, he knows whats junk and whats not..if'n it were me, I'd get a computer shopper and read up on some of the stuff out there.

[Gaelen]

TigerDirect, maybe CompUSA if I don't want to wait for mail order (but they closed our local outlet, so ...)

I bought my first desktop off the shelf in 1990, built the next three and several others. Four years ago I bought a laptop off the shelf at Staples on impulse after checking it out for 15 minutes during the day-after-Thanksgiving sales. Although others have had issues with the company (which has the worst customer service on the planet) mine has (knock wood) not given me a lick of trouble. It's been all over and back, used for 2-3 hours daily, minimum, and it doesn't always live in the most pristine, climate controlled environs. Since I have to build and tear these things apart at work, I decided that I just wanted my home machine to be as little effort for me as possible, and this one has come through. It's an Averatec, a rebranded Micro-Star International ultralight that's under 4 lbs. with power block and battery.

It's time to look for an upgrade to my laptop for home, and I will probably once again buy it off the shelf...if I were going for a desktop, I'd build my own, but not a laptop. My dollars are worth more buying a self- or pre-configured laptop than they would be worth building my own.

[Sonetpro]

If you are going to build your own just remember alot as changed in 6 years. The norm for dual core MB's uses the newer technology. SATA instead of IDE. PCI express instead of AGP. And running 3GB of memory at high buss speeds is the norm.
I would definatly buy the MB before any thing else. I have alot of spare parts laying around that are useless building an up to date computer.

[toypusher]

Kerry, I thought of that in my reply, but Geron is a big boy and I'm sure if he can build one from scratch, he knows whats junk and whats not..if'n it were me, I'd get a computer shopper and read up on some of the stuff out there.

Jim, you are exactly right there!! A little brushing up will go a long ways towards making the right choices for what is wanted and/or needed. I have not put one together in a couple of years, but try to stay familiar with whats out there.

[subtearanean]

I, um, uh, just kinda walk into an Apple Store and pick out one of the big parts they sell. Haven't gotten bit by doing that for over 15 years.

I get enough action on the PC side ordering the replacement warranty Dell parts from Dell direct.

And yes there are other MicroCenter locations out there, I habit the one on Memorial Ave in Cambridge MA quite frequently. Fun place.

[Geron]

Kerry, I thought of that in my reply, but Geron is a big boy and I'm sure if he can build one from scratch, he knows whats junk and whats not..if'n it were me, I'd get a computer shopper and read up on some of the stuff out there.

Jim, you are exactly right there!! A little brushing up will go a long ways towards making the right choices for what is wanted and/or needed. I have not put one together in a couple of years, but try to stay familiar with whats out there.

Went to the learning section at NewEgg and Sonetpro is right. There have been numerous changes in architecture/language. Computer Shopper is a good idea also. Spent a larger portion of this morning just learning MB/expansion slots/firewire/memory/memory cards/ and Processor technology/compatibility/improvements/lingo, etc On and On and On . . .

Heck, that's half the fun. A lot's been going on in the past few years. I may have to put this project in line with the others
l
What if a person ever though they could stop learning? Unthinkable.

Here we go again.

gac

[Geron]

[Gee, a triple post D Don't think I've ever done that before

[Geron]

This was the third of a triple post And this dude want's to BUILD a computer

gac

[ssrjim]

For others Fry's.

For myself the Apple Store.

[mikeschn]

Geron,

When you build, be sure to get a SATA hard drive...

Everything else is pretty much dictated by what's available...

Mike...

[Geron]

I, um, uh, just kinda walk into an Apple Store and pick out one of the big parts they sell. Haven't gotten bit by doing that for over 15 years.

I get enough action on the PC side ordering the replacement warranty Dell parts from Dell direct.

And yes there are other MicroCenter locations out there, I habit the one on Memorial Ave in Cambridge MA quite frequently. Fun place.

Use to be a MicroCenter in Marietta --

What's an Apple Store? Do they sell computers? Up here in the mountains we have Apple Houses. They sell Apples but never seen computer parts there!!!