OPINION TIME! How could an OEM impress you?

[jbarket]

I think it's safe to say that nearly everyone here builds their own machines. I know I personally haven't bought an OEM computer since I built my first home brew box nearly 10 years ago.

But things are different now.

Price is still an issue, but back then the difference between purchasing the parts yourself and buying a machine at Best Buy was insane. There's still a "luxury tax" on quality parts and bleeding edge parts from OEMs, but their prices for entry level equipment has become respectably reasonable--especially when you consider the costs of legally aquiring a copy of Windows XP and any other software it comes with (because we all legally aquire Windows when we build our own, right? :clap: )

So, here's what I'm looking for--what can OEMs do to impress you? Are there OEMs out there already that capture your eye?

I'll go first to give you an idea of what I'm looking for (but any opinions would be great)

------------------------

The only major OEM that really catches my eye anymore is Alienware. It seems that even though price is down on most OEM PCs, they're doing a lot of that by cutting out quality. Even if you're not planning on overclocking and aren't worried about FSB speed, there's no replacement for good RAM. The downside to Alienware is that they're still gouging the hell out of prices (and that's comparing their prices to retail prices for the exact same parts, we don't even know how cheap they're getting all that ****).

I feel that OEMs can improve by providing quality hardware at a reasonable price. I don't think they should give up on profit--it's a cut throat market and all--but if I can build a PC for 200-300$ less than they're selling it for buying parts retail, they obviously have some serious room to either 1 - offer better quality at the same price or 2 - reduce the cost to the consumer.

I also think that OEMs can do well by pushing untraditional products--attractive, silent PCs without a huge footprint, HTPCs, et cetera.

What do you guys think?

[cornbread]

I have a custom built and a OEM (Dell). Personally I'm pleased with my Dell, they use good hardware, good memory, etc, price was good to. My only gripe is the motherboard, for example I would like to update my cpu, but I can't because the Dell mobo limits me, and another standard mobo will not fit the case.

Other OEM's I like are Alienware, Falcon and Voodoo, BUT I will not buy any of the 3 because of the price...way overpriced.

[UnseenMenace]

Use standard fit components rather than use PSU's that would only fit their case, mobos that only fit their case

[tom10167]

OEM?

Original
Equipment
Manufacturer

Dell, HP, Gateway, they all build machines, they don't really manufacture *anything*.


How could a PC company impress me? I'm already impressed at budget machines, when you can buy a fully loaded computer(mouse, monitor, keyboard, software) for $400 you're really saying a lot.

I agree with the crap PSU stuff. Make it so people can upgrade on their own.

-Don't charge $50,000 for 512 megs of RAM.

[deRusett]

Things that would impress me by an OEM

Well Made Website, with No non sence computer config.
CHoice of Motherboard - They should offer a few different chipsets, and onboard features,
Choice of RAM type - They should offer different CL rated Rams, at different Speeds, Ideally 2 or more Companies, they can give a discount on the Company they wish to deal with more, but I want a choice.
Proper identification of CPU's instock, A large OEM should allow for an advanced option when selecting a CPU, most OCers are willing to pay a perimium for a specific date/country/batch an OEM can charge 10% more to select your chip, both people win.
Quality ATX standard PSU's currently there are few really good PSU's if an OEM was able to make one of there own, and Only ship it with there PC's but have it compatable with ATX standard, then I would be very impressed


Bundles, I love Bundles,
OS + Software + Free upgrades + digi cam = happy Stephen

[9mmCensor]

I am mainly refeering to Voodoo Computers.

If you build beautiful cases, dont make me pay a few grand for the computer, let me just buy the case.

[seadave77]

They can have more technical details on their website (ex. What brand, model motherboard, how many ram slots, max cpu supported, etc)

Offer real customer service.

Use standard parts.

Sell replacement parts at a reasonable price.

Offer incentives to go back to them and offer old computer recycling programs.

Include original software not "Restore CD's."

Don't include a bunch of crap along with the windows instillation.

[tom10167]

Include original software not "Restore CD's."



That will NEVER ever happen. Not for Dell etc.


:(

[jbarket]

I think there are a couple reasons why restore CDs are used--mostly, it allows people like my parents to fix their computer when it's destroyed beyond repair. There's no way they could ever install drivers or a bunch of software on their own.

I personally don't mind them, but I wish there were options. You know, the thing installs Windows, drivers, and a *very* basic set of system utilities, and then when you first boot Windows it asks what else on the CD you want to install. That'd be brilliant.

I think that's a lot more work than it's worth for a lot of companies though. Every time they put out a new model, they have to put together a new custom Windows install disc.

[mysubaruimp]

Just one thing - Price on higher end machines.

The low-end (sub ~$700) market is dominated by Dell and the like. There is no way I can build a decent machine for the same price that dell does in the low-end. That is impressive for people like my parents or girlfriend that dont know jack about a computer. They arent ripping people off on the low-end stuff.

Once you get into the +$700 range, it is just outrageous to buy pre-built. For example, Ijust priced out some servers. $1700 (with software) will get me a nice newegg server. For a close system, put together by Dell, it would be $3300. That is almost double the price, and it isnt even as good, it is close, but not exactly. If I were to make one the same or slightly better through dell, the price would jump up another $500-700.

But for low-end, they are untouchable. Windows XP alone is half the price of their low-end system, no one in the custom market can even come close.

[Dylruss]

I don't know one out their who would tell you the steppings, or even give you different mb options although that would be very nice!

Lets take Dell for instance. They are decent machines, but they have m$ and Intel so far down their pockets, there is no way that they would offer anything else since there is big $$$ in contracts, not just the machines.
What they offer is what you get or you go somewhere else, thats it. On the other hand, they don't need to sell replacement parts like memory or a hd 300 times more then they are worth.

[TollhouseFrank]

to impress me?

SUPPORT, and it has to be good and very timely.

PATIENCE, as 95% of the populace is still computer ignorant about most things... its the 5% of us that really know anything that get so ticked off at thier tech support, as they are nearly as ignorant as everyone else.

UPGRADEABILITY, as most OEM stuff is not very upgradeable. I prefer knowing that what I get can be upgraded and kept future proof. OEM stuff is rarely like that.

CUSTOMIZATION, as I would like things to be more custom, with more variations.... yes i know that would take longer to build, but if i have the money to build it, i have the time to wait for it to be built.

[CrystalMethod]

I can't really comment because in the technical sense I work for an OEM. But, I'm really interested to see what people are looking for in an OEM.

[moz_21]

Just having a bios that allows memory timings and FSB timings etc. but were hidden from the average joe so they couldn't screw it up. Just being able to run the faster timings instead of SPD settings would be so nice. And lets say you have a 133 FSB AXP, with 200MHz ram. If you were allowed to drop the multi and jack the FSB to 200MHz, you would be getting the best bang for your buck, without overclocking and voiding your warrantee. Probably never happen.... lol. TO HELL WITH THE WARRANTEE I WANNA OVERCLOCK!!! :D

Basically, I want to be in control.

[Captain Slug]

1. Parts that meet form factor requirements (and thus would allow for independent upgrades)
2. Cases with effective and adjustable cooling options
3. More part options
4. Have the option of ordering the machine assembled without an operating system installed
5. Realistic pricing with everything noted on the price list (such as the cost of having it assembled and packaged)

[threeme2189]

not using 9200 and 5200 as the "latest and greatest" video cards and taking truckloads of cash for em...grrrr

[Zerileous]

use their bulk buying capability to release a high quality, low priced, system with no proprietary bs instead of pushing profit margins.

[jbarket]

Good thread guys. I was trying to ask a loaded question and get the answer I wanted (ie. lower price, nothing crazy, quality parts), and it seems that most of you feel the same way I do about the market (once we get into at least the midrange).

So, I'll be a little more forward this time (I consider all of this very unscientific market research :D). I used to do web application development, but when the economy went south, the company I worked for took it really hard--nobody was in dire need of that 10,000$ custom web app anymore--and I got laid off. I live in Arkansas, so as you might guess, it's a technological waste land. After being unemployed for four months, I decided to open my own e-commerce site, and started selling performance parts for cars.

It was great, and a huge learning experience, but the most important lesson I learned is that you can't run a highly successful business in a market where your customer knows more than you do. I had a lot of experience working on my car, but some of these people who were buying parts from me had a natural talent; when I was begging my parents for a 486, they wanted air tools. This made things a lot harder than they should have been for me, and last December I lost a close friend while I was living 6 hours away running this business. It seemed silly to be working so hard for so little (cash isn't all that great when you have no time to spend it) and not being near friends and family and such, so I sold off what was left and closed the doors.

Anyway, it's a year later and I'm in a position to take another stab at it, but this time with a lot of experience behind the wheel. I was having problems combining something I'm talented at with something that's profitable. But lately, I've had people come out of the woodwork to have me build them PCs.

Long story longer, here's my question--in this day and age, do you think it's possible for anyone to break into a particular niche in the pre-built computer market? After only preliminary discussions with distributors (and just common sense consideration of the retail cost of parts), I know for a fact that I can handle my overhead, beat most of the big guys across the board on price (as long as it's a midrange->performance machine... the budget pc market its an unwinnable, and probably unprofitable, situation), and still profit.

I don't intend to be huge. There's a vast market out there, and at (compared to what most of these guys appear to be taking home) moderate profits, selling a single box a day is sufficient to have a nice living (and to maintain my current level of being a poor 20something, more like 1 per week at that same rate).

I've been going back and forth with myself over this basically because I can't differentiate myself from Alienware or Voodoo PC. When I describe what I'd like to build (customizable, quiet, attractive, small footprint), the first thing I think of are those two companies. I don't seem to see a difference besides price, and we're talking about 2 well established companies. To be honest, I'd never heard of Voodoo PC before I started doing a little research, and their Doll model turned out to be *exactly* what I had in mind, except with a price tag bigger than the box itself.

Ironically while I'm still considering this, I've already made my first few sales, including a machine that Dell quoted at just over $7,000 that I was able to price out on newegg for just over half of that--so I have a little footing, and a little more venture capital because of that.

So, to conclude this unnecessarily specific post, do you think it's possible? Anyone on here work for a mom and pop operation in this day and age? Do I need to look elsewhere?

OPINIONS!