Computer nerds, I mean specialists- Amercian Made Computers...

[alfablue]

I'm doing a little cross posting asking about this- the car board I frequent has computer guys, but I know there are a lot more over here.

Our home desktop is very much showing its age- last time the things I'm havnig going on, it was diagnosed with a broken mother board. I don't do computer repair, and if I had a choice between paying $200 in parts and labor for a repair, I'm happy to drop $500 for a new, and updated comptuer.

So, that being said, I'm also curious about getting a computer made here in the US, and I have found these four, but suspect that there are more out there. Has anyone heard or have any experience with their computers:

Systemax- computers made in Ohio
Pugets Systems- computers made in Seattle, more custom
ZT Systems- computers made in New Jersey.
Lotus PC- computers made in Florida

The Systemax line is also available at CompUSA, which gets me some more "credits" for other consumer things we do- so that's the one I'm leaning toward.

And I'm open to any other sources here in the US. I'd much rather put some money into the pocket of someone who can maybe buy a product that we make....

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Computer nerds, I mean specialists- Amercian Made Computers...

American components, Russian components... ALL MADE IN TAIWAN!

You should give a shot at building your own computer. Upgrade the motherboard; it'll give you a better insight as to what is actually going on. They aren't that hard to install; you just need to make sure all the parts are compatible and fit OK.

[SteveP]

Re: Computer nerds, I mean specialists- Amercian Made Computers...

American components, Russian components... ALL MADE IN TAIWAN!

You should give a shot at building your own computer. Upgrade the motherboard; it'll give you a better insight as to what is actually going on. They aren't that hard to install; you just need to make sure all the parts are compatible and fit OK.

I agree with Flag that you could upgrade what you have by replacing the motherboard, processor and memory. A lot will depend on how old your current system is and what you use your computer for.

If you just need it to surf the web, check emails, etc. and upgrade could suffice. If you do any graphics-intensive work (video production, photo editing etc) it could be cheaper and better for you to buy a new system. You could consider designing your own system to your needs rather that buying "off the rack".

One thing to keep in mind if you do replace the motherboard is that you will need a retail version of Windows. An OEM version will not work with a different motherboard.

MakeTechEasier.com is one of a number of excellent reference websites that can give you information to help your decision.

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Computer nerds, I mean specialists- Amercian Made Computers...

I agree with Flag that you could upgrade what you have by replacing the motherboard, processor and memory. A lot will depend on how old your current system is and what you use your computer for.

If you just need it to surf the web, check emails, etc. and upgrade could suffice. If you do any graphics-intensive work (video production, photo editing etc) it could be cheaper and better for you to buy a new system. You could consider designing your own system to your needs rather that buying "off the rack".

One thing to keep in mind if you do replace the motherboard is that you will need a retail version of Windows. An OEM version will not work with a different motherboard.

MakeTechEasier.com is one of a number of excellent reference websites that can give you information to help your decision.

Or you could just use Linux. It's a lot more user friendly than it has been in the past, and best of all, it's free.

Whether you buy or upgrade, make sure you keep your hard drive. You'll still be able to get the information off of there that you need.

[alfablue]

Re: Computer nerds, I mean specialists- Amercian Made Computers...

To both of you guys- it's a valid suggestion to rebuild my own. I just don't want to. Have no inerest in how computers work, and don't care to learn.

There's things I'm happy do DIY- my Alfas, gardening, making wine and a wine cellar. Computers are not one that I really give a rat's patooy about.

Yards of fabric are cheap, would you make your own clothing? You can make it fit you perfectly.

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Computer nerds, I mean specialists- Amercian Made Computers...

To both of you guys- it's a valid suggestion to rebuild my own. I just don't want to. Have no inerest in how computers work, and don't care to learn.

There's things I'm happy do DIY- my Alfas, gardening, making wine and a wine cellar. Computers are not one that I really give a rat's patooy about.

Yards of fabric are cheap, would you make your own clothing? You can make it fit you perfectly.

You did ask for a computer nerd's opinion. You got it.

I don't think you can buy an "American computer", though, given most of the parts are made in Taiwan. The best I would suggest is to have your geeky 14-year-old neighbor (or some equivalent) build it for you. Select the parts (the geek will tell you what you need), and give the geek a few bucks to piece it all together for you.

[Tundra]

Re: Computer nerds, I mean specialists- Amercian Made Computers...

I would just buy the cheapest computer (with the software you need). All the parts are made in China/Taiwan anyways. it's assembled in USA so there is some local jobs.

If you're not into games that need the latest graphic, cpu, memory. you might be able to get some really cheap old computers on craiglist. sometimes free.

[bueller]

Re: Computer nerds, I mean specialists- Amercian Made Computers...

[QUOTE=Tundra;5357741]I would just buy the cheapest computer (with the software you need). All the parts are made in China/Taiwan anyways. it's assembled in USA so there is some local jobs.

I don't think you can buy an "American computer", though, given most of the parts are made in Taiwan. The best I would suggest is to have your geeky 14-year-old neighbor (or some equivalent) build it for you. Select the parts (the geek will tell you what you need), and give the geek a few bucks to piece it all together for you.

I'd agree with this. Your best bet for an "American" computer is to find a local shop and have them assemble the components for you.

[The Rube]

Re: Computer nerds, I mean specialists- Amercian Made Computers...

Too dumb to build computer. I don't have many demands.

1. Laptop.
2. Longevity/reliability.
3. Have 2-3 tabs open on the 'net, possible streaming on additional tab.
4. Heavy usage is happening
5. About a $1000 budget, give or take. If it's something special, I'll listen to a higher price.

Go.

[alfablue]

Re: Computer nerds, I mean specialists- Amercian Made Computers...

I have one local shop that could build something. But I will place a call to a few of the ones I found above. just to see if the common prection of where the parts come from is true or not.

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Computer nerds, I mean specialists- Amercian Made Computers...

I have one local shop that could build something. But I will place a call to a few of the ones I found above. just to see if the common prection of where the parts come from is true or not.

Dude, if you want to know, just take the cover off the computer you have now, and look at the "Made In" labels on all the pieces.

[alfablue]

Re: Computer nerds, I mean specialists- Amercian Made Computers...

Dude, if you want to know, just take the cover off the computer you have now, and look at the "Made In" labels on all the pieces.

Dude, I'd like to know BEFORE I buy it. I'm not all that interested in what's sitting under my counter at the moment. I am interested in what buy in the future, though. Forgive me for hoping that people try to find components that are actually made here, too. And hoping that I can "in your precived face" post back here.

[MUhawks628]

Re: Computer nerds, I mean specialists- Amercian Made Computers...

Have no inerest in how computers work, and don't care to learn.

So, where would you say that you fall?

[alfablue]

Re: Computer nerds, I mean specialists- Amercian Made Computers...

So, where would you say that you fall?

Fall on a red X?


edit- out of curiosity- I took the link on my own to look at it.

The more computers advance, the less I care to know. Moreso- when one company has like 100 different selections, I just don't care to figure out how people really need 100 different kinds of computers to surf the net and do basic stuff.

None the less, I'm not a virus blamer. I do very much blame microsoft- since most of what was on my hard drive were XP updates. I somewhat blame dell- the battery was starting to fail. I can blame whoever made the motherboard for gateway- since they diagnosed a non working drive on it. The couple of times I've had really nasty viruses, it was pretty easy to solve.

My computers generally last more than 5 years. By then, components start to fail- whether an OS update or hardware. That's what i've found.


Edit 2- gotten your tickets applications in for this year's tour? planning on DTE energy.

[BassAle]

Re: Computer nerds, I mean specialists- Amercian Made Computers...

I'm doing a little cross posting asking about this- the car board I frequent has computer guys, but I know there are a lot more over here.

Our home desktop is very much showing its age- last time the things I'm havnig going on, it was diagnosed with a broken mother board. I don't do computer repair, and if I had a choice between paying $200 in parts and labor for a repair, I'm happy to drop $500 for a new, and updated comptuer.

So, that being said, I'm also curious about getting a computer made here in the US, and I have found these four, but suspect that there are more out there. Has anyone heard or have any experience with their computers:

Systemax- computers made in Ohio
Pugets Systems- computers made in Seattle, more custom
ZT Systems- computers made in New Jersey.
Lotus PC- computers made in Florida

The Systemax line is also available at CompUSA, which gets me some more "credits" for other consumer things we do- so that's the one I'm leaning toward.

And I'm open to any other sources here in the US. I'd much rather put some money into the pocket of someone who can maybe buy a product that we make....

they may be "assembled" in the US, but nearly all of the components are going to be made overseas. It's not like Systemax is printing their own circuit boards.