Maybe I overstated somewhat. The point I'm trying to make is what you get in a "boxed" version from a name brand is what THEY want to give you which is frequently an assortments of parts almost always made to the specs of the company slapping on their brand. True, sometimes what you get in the way of software at the retail level is just included "shovelware" or trial versions of this, that and the other thing which may or may not be of interest to some. What bugged me, and one of several reasons why I've built my own for years was false claims you're getting "X" when it fact you got "Y". So just be aware if someone like Gateway or Dell says you're geting a ATI superduper graphics card its likely THEIR OEM version may be minus a TV out, or have less memory not have the same fully implements chipset or in someway be different than the retail version. True enough, you got to do your homework. My beef is if you look at the specs on the web sites they may or may not indicate the differences, which to a less informer consumer can mean disappointment once the PC is delivered.

I also get a kick out of Dell, Gateway, others where they create the illusion they've made the computer. In fact all they've done is ASSEMBLE it and then slap their lavel on it. You can do the same yourself using cheaper parts or high quality ones. What bugged me with the "custom" BS is unless you're a corporate user and buy by the gross, what you're really getting is just a choice of several varations, not a true 'custom made' PC to your specs which is the dishonet aspect of their advertising.

Well, BillyBoy summed it up nicely. I’ve been burned by Dell selling crippled versions of cards they advertised as full function versions. If you don’t believe me look here. People should aware that this is a common practice. Even Creative Labs admits they make OEM versions of their cards with lower level specs for the big vendors like Dell, Gateway, etc. This is not my misconception. It is fact and common knowledge. Consumers need to be aware.

I do agree with you on your advice, “With all this stuff you have to do your homework first.” How true. That's why we try and alert people for what to look for.

~jr

Hmm.
C'mon now BillyBoy....
>"..In fact all they've done is ASSEMBLE it and then slap their lavel on it."

What does ANY computer builder do? Don't they all do that?

>".."What bugged me with the "custom" BS is unless you're a corporate user and buy by the gross, what you're really getting is just a choice of several varations, not a true 'custom made' PC to your specs.

Baloney.
I buy them one at a time.
And I "hand pick" each and every component in them.

:o)

Now O'course ya'll gotta realize that I'm hopin' I din't waste away all them ten yars o' my life as a buyer for that dang Matsushita Company. I don't know a lot, but what the heck, I wanna brag a little about what I DO know about......It aint much.

I will tell you fer sure, that the price of your individual components for your computer is largely based on how colorful the box is it came in, and how long it's "guaranteed" for.

No electronics manufacturer ever built a factory just to "produce a second rate, unreliable product". In the very delicate electronic world, there is no "gray area".
It either works, or it doesn't.
It would be "economic suicide" for a maker to present an unreliable product to the supplier they are counting on.



Anyway,
I could talk about this forever, but I caint right now.
Gotta finish a video so I can pick up an eight thousand dollar check tomorrow.

Later.

John

Well now, BB is scaring me again...I just bought a Dell. I'm glad to learn that I'm not going to fry my processor when its utilization is high but now I'm worried about the quality of OEM components.

The video card was clearly identified as a Dell version and the sound is integrated on the motherboard, but what is the difference between my computer's other OEM components and retail components?

I'm interested in learning what is the difference between my OEM Western Digital hard drive and a retail drive? between my OEM Pentium 4 and a retail P4? between my OEM Intel chipset and a retail chipset? between my OEM RAM and retail RAM?? between my OEM motherboard and a retail motherboard?

If I ever want to replace any components should I purchase retail components instead of OEM components?

For PRECISELY this reason, if you can...build your own computer.

Forget the "mini-tower"...get a huge server case (Maxi-tower) and stuff it full of hardware...and it will be truly "upgradable," as long as you go with AMD and stay away from Intel's Socket Of The Month.

I was prompted to do this when I found out my HP machine's supplied DVD player would only play on that specific HP motherboard.

That was the last straw.

Again...build your own!!! You'll never go back!!!

Thank you.

Ok, we've heard a lot about Dell, and some references to Gateway. What about Micron PC? or Velocity Micro? or pcnirvana? or DVLine? Do they all use OEM versions as well?