$1500 Can Buy a Super Fast Computer!!
Sep 19 '00
You question my title? You really don't think you can actually find the most up to date system out there and not be paying thousands and thousands of dollars?? Well I'm here to prove you wrong and tell you how you too can save a lot of money and still get exactly what you want!
The system my husband wanted
For his birthday, all my husband really wanted was a new computer. He had an AMD K6 450 which even these days is still a really good computer. With 128MG of RAM and two monster cards strapped in, this did pretty good for games.
Until ... I bought my PIII 700Mhz computer back in December (ok, no Y2K jokes!). All of a sudden he realized his wasn't all that great.
So we started shopping at Best Buy and a few other stores that carried computers. He wanted the AMD Athelon 1Gig processor! He wanted a computer that would run games great. And we found it at Best Buy. For $2900!! But it also included Read/Write CD Roms, DVD drives, 46Gig hard drives, and a lot of other things that we just didn't need.
What system my husband GOT
For his birthday he was pleasantly surprised with an AMD Athelon 1Gig computer with 128Mg of RAM and a 32Mg Video accelerator. It also included a new modem, mouse, keyboard, and speakers. How much did it cost me? $1480 after tax! (and no, that is not a typo)
How did I do it? And better yet, how can you do it?
In the KC area there are several smaller computer companies that build their own computers. Optima Computers is my preferred choice. They have built others for me and all have worked really well. And the few problems I did have, they immediately took care of.
In metropolitan type cities you should always be able to find computer stores such as these. For those business types, you will usually find some time of local computer magazine floating around that is usually free. Advertised along with all the other information are usually several companies that also "build to order" computers.
These are small businesses that are normally good to deal with. A few things you may check out before you whip out your check book though ...
--- Check with the Better Business Bureau to find out of any problems
--- Ask around with co-workers or those more knowledgable in computers as to any experiences they may have had
--- Shop the expensive stores to first figure out just what you want
--- Then call around to several of the businesses asking for literature (this may include price sheets, warranties, and information on the company itself)
Once you have figured out which store you want to deal with, call them with your checklist of requirements in a new computer. Don't just tell them what you want IN it ... tell them what you are planning on using it for.
There is a big difference in computer needs if you are just planning on writing term papers on it versus playing high end games over the Internet. If you already have a computer and don't plan on using it any more, find out if any of the parts can be used within your computer. This can sometimes help reduce the cost also.
Like I said, working with a small business I was able to save almost $1500 when I purchased my husband's new computer. Last December I saved around $800 when I got my PIII 700.
Although it is always good to support the small businesses in your town, cover yourself first. Don't just buy from them because they are cheaper, make sure they are going to stand behind their work no matter what. Optima computers provides a 1-year parts and 5-years labor warranty on all the computers they have built. And the few problems I have had, they've always fixed free of charge.
So, if you are looking to find a new computer that is really the best of the best, but you just don't have the cash to cover it (or just don't want to spend that much), check out your local business owners and find out if using a small business in your home town is right for you.
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KCFemme
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Location: Olathe, Kansas
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