Off the Shelf PC = is this any good

[Max]

i too dont want to sound like getting a dell is a bad choice but from my years of experience its the dells,  gateways, compaqs and HPs' that have keep me in business. you get lucky sometimes and the machine last a while and runs without a problem. but the moment you start having a issue, you learn why.

Between my home and business, I've owned at least 6 Dell desktops since moving over from a Mac G3 in the mid-90's. Four of the Dells were flawless; 2 developed minor component issues which were easily fixed. I would buy another Dell without hesitation if I didn't have the time to build one. That being said, my current home rig is a a home built simply because it saved me some $$$...I had the time...I wanted to learn the ropes of building a system and I wanted a customized gaming system.

Let's face it; you can end up with a borked (enter part name here__________________) whether you buy a pre-built or home built computer. To each, his own.

[Fulmar]

Let's face it; you can end up with a borked (enter part name here__________________) whether you buy a pre-built or home built computer. To each, his own.

This is pretty true.  For some that emails, general office stuff, and browses, a Dell will do wonders for them.  Gaming is a different story.  Only their higher end stuff is worth investing in if you want to game, but thats if #1 you don't know how to build #2 some other excuse.  A home built 'gaming' rig is going to be quite a bit cheaper than a 'gaming' rig from another company.  Now for a home built 'office' computer, if you can't reuse software, a Dell/whatever is going to be cheaper on the front end.

I like to know what parts are in my system (plus I enjoy doing it).  If I order a Dell/whatever, I don't know what model/mfger of the mobo/PSU/etc are for the most part.