My preference is for a clone for a desktop and not much choice but to go brand name for laptops really. I'd go with Asus> Toshiba> HP for lappys as IBMs aren't the same after the takeover by Lenovo from China.
I actually am rocking a Compaq Presario desktop right now I received as a gift. Surprisingly it has an Asus motherboard built specially for HP I suppose. Upgradability is therefore better than Dell whose propreitary motherboards make it impossible to upgrade.
I had to add a first generation pci-e card which are rare in order to take advantage of s-video to watch movies on tv and as I later upgraded my monitor to utilize DVI. This would have been impossible on Dell's proprietary all in one motherboards.
I always feel sorry for people who shell out big bucks at Futureshop and Bestbuy for brandnames that are way overpriced for what you are getting.
For performance eg gaming and upgradability to the newest technology without buying a whole new computer,clones IMO are the way to go. Better to DIY too if you are able to.
Only thing with clones is they do not come with an OS like the brandnames so unless you have one already it's an added expense. Clones can be more expensive depending on the level of parts you buy but even some of the lowest level parts in a clone are better than the barebones proprietary stuff from Dell etc.
I built a desktop 10 years ago for my bro as he entered university. I used mid value (MSI,Kingston,Maxtor) parts vs high end(Abit,Asus, at the time) parts and kept it around $1200. He still runs that computer now 24/7 without any problems.
I actually am rocking a Compaq Presario desktop right now I received as a gift. Surprisingly it has an Asus motherboard built specially for HP I suppose. Upgradability is therefore better than Dell whose propreitary motherboards make it impossible to upgrade.
I had to add a first generation pci-e card which are rare in order to take advantage of s-video to watch movies on tv and as I later upgraded my monitor to utilize DVI. This would have been impossible on Dell's proprietary all in one motherboards.
I always feel sorry for people who shell out big bucks at Futureshop and Bestbuy for brandnames that are way overpriced for what you are getting.
For performance eg gaming and upgradability to the newest technology without buying a whole new computer,clones IMO are the way to go. Better to DIY too if you are able to.
Only thing with clones is they do not come with an OS like the brandnames so unless you have one already it's an added expense. Clones can be more expensive depending on the level of parts you buy but even some of the lowest level parts in a clone are better than the barebones proprietary stuff from Dell etc.
I built a desktop 10 years ago for my bro as he entered university. I used mid value (MSI,Kingston,Maxtor) parts vs high end(Abit,Asus, at the time) parts and kept it around $1200. He still runs that computer now 24/7 without any problems.
