Where do you buy your computers?

[sholling]

I build my own full-sized (usually towers) computers. For laptops and micro-PCs, when I'm ready to buy I spend a few weeks watching for deals on several bargain aggregators.

https://slickdeals.net/

http://bensbargains.com/new/

https://www.techbargains.com/

https://dealnews.com/editors-choice/

[whutsup40]

if your in the south bay, go check out computer geek's on 190th close to hawthorne bl, real good guy's, will build you what ever you want, good honest people, will not rip you off

[wpage]

+1 on Costco free extended warranty and no bs returns.

[9mmContagion]

For what you're saying you want it for, I would just use my iPhone... I haven't touched my home computer in almost 5 years. Granted, I rarely need any professional word documents done. If I do, they're usually typed on my iPhone in notes, emailed, and transferred to word at work. (Very rare though)

But if you must have one, I'd go Costco route.

[Malthusian]

I go to Central Computers

I find a kid who likes a challenge and have mine custom built for the best bang for the buck

I get 2nd gen tech for a fraction of the cost of a new off the shelf setup

8 core, SSD drive, 32 gig DDR4, 4 monitors - about $1700 ( monitors were bought separately )

I get about 10 years out of my setups, usually with an upgrade in between

SSD has already surpassed the bandwidth that the buss is capable of, so I don't see an upgrade this time

[plankr]

I've had good luck on buying PCs on Craigslist, by especially from gamers upgrading/building a new PC.

[Fizz]

SSD has already surpassed the bandwidth that the buss is capable of, so I don't see an upgrade this time

That's why you go NVMe SSD. 3500MB/s reads are unreal.

SATA III taps out at 600MB/s.

[the86d]

Newegg for parts.
My computers are rackmount, so I just reuse everything I can and the cost stays down...
(DVD writer, Case, Power Supply, video card, etc.)

I don't play games on my computers, so I don't need to upgrade the video card all the time, nor the CPU, board, or RAM.

Generally, in the past my old board becomes my server board, but cheap thin clients can easily run a dedicated distribution, after a RAM and SSD upgrade, even if SSD is powered off USB...

[esskay]

If you're looking for a good deal on a typical off-the-shelf computer as you described, and you don't mind waiting a little while, keep an eye on www.slickdeals.net for front page deals on computers. Good deals on Dells, Microcenter, etc pop up there on a regular basis.

[hermosabeach]

http://www.discountelectronics.com/dell-optiplex-790-i5-tower-computer-windows-7-pro/

I was surprised how cheap this site had computers.....
When I spec'd it out the same as the $530 new PC from Costco, it was $45 cheaper- about 10%


I ended up buying with Costco.... they had two models- one was $70 off and another $100 off

2 year warranty with Costco
2 additional years if you use a Costco Visa


I have been lucky and never had a warranty issue.... but should a hard drive fail, they get to pay the $50 for a new one....


Moores law has kinda run its course..... for many people, an old PC has plenty of power for the home user.....


Until parts fail, there is no need to upgrade....



For those that buy a used gamers PC.... how do you deal with checking the CPU for over clocking?

[NYT]

costco, dell, keep it simple and get the warranty.