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I wish I could be writing to the other side of this debate. but I can't because I voted to this side about a year back. but once I think about it I think buying one might be better in the long run. yes, building a computer is fun, but you have to be really smart to do this. there is so much you need to know. and if you want a computer ASAP then just buy one.

learning about computers takes time. time you might not have. but if you're willing to wait for it, and to learn a lot, and go through a hell of a lot of aggravation, then go for it. just try to get a friend of yours who knows about computers to help. every now and then I get stuck, but I have a very handy book and a friend of mine who knows what he's doing so it's never that bad. I'm not saying that I don't know about computers, I can make a bomb out of a USB port and a cell phone, but you most likely don't know a lot about them.

a friend of mine told me that you can't learn anything without breaking something first. that's no always true, but for the most part it is. so be very careful when building a PC. one advantage to building your computer yourself is that you really do save a lot of money. retail just costs too much. with about a $300 budget I could build a computer that best-buy would sell for around $1200. they overprice everything. so if you're cheep too then try to do it this way.

but there is another side to this debate other then building one or buying one. (other then steeling one) you can always have a computer nerd like me build you one. that's what I did. I knew a guy who knows everything about computers and I only paid $200 for mine. (the on I'm using right now) and with paying for all the parts and paying him or her to build it you'll still save more money then if you would have gone to a retail store for one.

overall I would say that learning about computers is worth the head aches. knowing that you know what all that crap does is a great feeling. like when you go to fix a problem with a computer you'll feel like you're performing open heart surgery. and when it turns on and works that's a pretty great feeling too. it does make you feel really smart after you do make one work. and at the very least you'll learn a new skill. even if you do fail putting one together. which it is really easy to fail, you'll have to make sure that all the parts work together. and if they don't and you still don't know your ass from your elbow when it comes to computers, then you'll have to find out what isn't working with everything else in there. talk about hard.

but do what you want to do. I say go for it only if you're willing to learn a lot. don't puss-out half way through. if you don't plan to do a lot of reading and learn a lot then go get ripped off and a retail store. have fun with that people.

Learn more about this author, Nick Mitchell.
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