A basic PC - custom built or factory made?

I need a new computer that will be used for basic functions like web browsing, word processing, managing a music library, etc. Should I still bother myself with building one or would it be more practical to buy a factory made one (like from Dell or HP)? Also what specs would be suitable for a basic computer? I want to get Windows 7 when it comes out.

And while I'm here, what's the point of a 64-bit computer? All I know is that it requires more resources.

for basic pc's you don't really save a lot by custom building. personally i would do it anyway, for the sake of getting exactly what it want.

Any current new PC would do that fine,,,just get something cheap.

For basics, I'd recommend a cheap dual core laptop as it'll do what you need, yet remain portable and consume alot less energy if you're trying to be REALLY cheap. If you do want to be able to upgrade the machine, then yeah you'll have to go with a desktop, in which case I'd just get a pre-built machine because it'll have a one year warranty, tech support, all the parts will properly interact with eachother. It's ready to go out of the box. While good PC parts from respectable manufacturers tend to have 2 or 3 year warranties, you might not be ready to deal with anguishes of OS and driver installation if you happen to get a part that doesn't want to cooperate. In your position, I'd get a pre-built, but I'm one to always build a machine myself.

For basics, I'd recommend a cheap dual core laptop as it'll do what you need, yet remain portable and consume alot less energy if you're trying to be REALLY cheap. If you do want to be able to upgrade the machine, then yeah you'll have to go with a desktop, in which case I'd just get a pre-built machine because it'll have a one year warranty, tech support, all the parts will properly interact with eachother. It's ready to go out of the box. While good PC parts from respectable manufacturers tend to have 2 or 3 year warranties, you might not be ready to deal with anguishes of OS and driver installation if you happen to get a part that doesn't want to cooperate. In your position, I'd get a pre-built, but I'm one to always build a machine myself.

mouthforbathory

[QUOTE="mouthforbathory"]

For basics, I'd recommend a cheap dual core laptop as it'll do what you need, yet remain portable and consume alot less energy if you're trying to be REALLY cheap. If you do want to be able to upgrade the machine, then yeah you'll have to go with a desktop, in which case I'd just get a pre-built machine because it'll have a one year warranty, tech support, all the parts will properly interact with eachother. It's ready to go out of the box. While good PC parts from respectable manufacturers tend to have 2 or 3 year warranties, you might not be ready to deal with anguishes of OS and driver installation if you happen to get a part that doesn't want to cooperate. In your position, I'd get a pre-built, but I'm one to always build a machine myself.

Daytona_178

agreed, any pc from a major retailer would do, u can get dual core acers for a really cheap price anywhere really. I would personally custom build it but yeah, there's not much of a difference in how much u'll spend whether u go for either

for basic pc's you don't really save a lot by custom building. personally i would do it anyway, for the sake of getting exactly what it want.

NauthiX

And while I'm here, what's the point of a 64-bit computer? All I know is that it requires more resources.

Xeros606

The main reason most people would want a 64-bit OS is so that they can use more RAM. 32-bit OS's can read a maximum of about 3.5GB of memory. 64-bit can read up to much higher than that. A lot of people are now using 4GB of RAM, and those people should be using a 64-bit OS to get the full benefits from it.

Also, they allow you to run some applications in 64-bit mode, where they can supposedly take advantage of the 64-bit extensions of modern processors. Although as far as I know, in practice there's little to no noticeable difference between the way 32-bit and 64-bit applications actually run.

[QUOTE="mouthforbathory"]

For basics, I'd recommend a cheap dual core laptop as it'll do what you need, yet remain portable and consume alot less energy if you're trying to be REALLY cheap. If you do want to be able to upgrade the machine, then yeah you'll have to go with a desktop, in which case I'd just get a pre-built machine because it'll have a one year warranty, tech support, all the parts will properly interact with eachother. It's ready to go out of the box. While good PC parts from respectable manufacturers tend to have 2 or 3 year warranties, you might not be ready to deal with anguishes of OS and driver installation if you happen to get a part that doesn't want to cooperate. In your position, I'd get a pre-built, but I'm one to always build a machine myself.

Daytona_178