My thing is hardware. My passion is building new & rebuilding used computers. I suck at OS manipulation/programming & software dev, which is why I'm here. However, I'm curious of an OS/software forum, the extent to which it goes the other way?* I ask that you please answer this poll, as it influences my entrepreneurial direction & marketing. (I'm what one would call a "start up".) Thank you.

* a pre-post "find similar threads" brings up 5 over 10 years. LOL!

That set of three choices certainly distorts the question. No choice is near close enough to choose.


Yes, and I never buy completed PCs.

Simply false. I usually build from parts. I sometimes buy complete.

Yes, but I'd rather buy completed PCs.

Little biased maybe !?

You frame the poll to assume that anyone buying computers both ways prefers buying complete. I prefer to buy parts and when I buy complete, I usually regret it later.

No, I always buy completed PCs.

So the majority for whom that is the answer can look like a super majority because you provided no reasonable choice for others.

Your post then implies exactly the opposite bias as the poll itself. So:
Confused?
Lying?
Or just pure troll?

You do not provide any realistic choices.

I tend to build my computers from parts, but I did buy a few ready boxes from shops.

Oh, for fsck's sake. Pick the closest one. Don't pick one. Sorry, "B!+ch" isn't one of the choices. It's a bloody poll. My first one. Someone care to delete it so I can start fresh and let both of you recode it for me? Nothing like:

HELLO & WELCOME TO LINUXQUESTIONS.ORG!!

You've learned your lesson, and #1 matches you best.

You "tend", but which do you prefer? You could be #1 or #2. Pick one. Or don't.

Geez, of two "responses" thus far, neither matches that 3rd. I do NOT expect the third to win out. Frankly, because this is a highly tech forum, hopefully full of grown-ups, I would predict opposite your "super majority" prediction.

Then again, I may be lucky enough to have my efforts deleted & spared any further shame. *walks away mumbling expletives*

PLEASE DON'T SHOUT.

I buy most hardware from a local shop (compumania).
Instead of building it myself, I just give them a list of all particles and they build it for me (without extra cost).

I guess that fits your first option.

Thats known as 'barebones' pc, there are sites too that offer to build your specifications without an OS. I think that option should also have been put in the poll by the way because a completed pc implies that there usually is an OS and 99.9% of the time it would be Windows preloaded.

I build my primary boxes myself, but if im getting a firewall box I just buy some old puter, im not gonna build that from scratch.

I used to buy completed ones when I was a kid and my parents didn't trust me to build one, and we had less money. Now, I always build my own, it's cheaper and better quality.

I used to buy prebuilt ones, but after replacing my motherboard I realized how fun and easy it is, so next time I will build my own (I'm not sure on which option does this fit in the poll ).

*whisper* sorry, it was for dramatic sarcasm effect.

Actually, johnsfine & sycamorex had valid responses because they qualified their protests. Even if this poll bombs, your and Jeebizz's replies have made it worthwhile.

In fairness, I set this poll up after not being able to sleep all night. Frankly, I didn't know that sites offered such service. That being said, Shhh! Don't ruin it for me! LOL!

One business model I'm considering is (local) build-to-spec. I'm wired for it (ha ha) because I'm trained in Sales, Customer & Technical Service. That's one awesome thing jens's shop affirms. My local shop is rubbish. Their stock is dated, lousy selection, and they're cons. I witnessed one guy convincing someone about an exorbitant estimate charge to quote a laptop's cracked LCD panel because he had to tear it apart to figure out the LCD's part number. Seriously? I could look that up based on model number in 5 minutes for free. Also, jens's shop might not charge for their service, but they make money on component's mark-up. I'm considering a "concierge" fee. Parts at cost, assembly 10(?)%. *shrug*

Like Jeebizz mentioned, a vast majority of vendors are doing a financial disservice to the Linux community. My poll is to gauge potential need. Otherwise, a high percent of consumers don't know what specs mean, the guy at Best Buy barely knows either, so they waste their money. Why buy from me? I'll build you the best PC that suits YOUR needs, with a better OS, for what your budget allows. Linux is here, now. Open-PC is going for it (with only 3 models) and so shall I. And if you insist on Micro$h!+? You'll have to pay extra. Don't have time to research specs? My "current" knowledge will save you the hassle.

Finally, in terms of inventory, I plan to stock only sensory items (monitors, keyboards, mice, audio) because they have a longer life-cycle and are best experienced when making a decision.

I want to build my own PC's, but I have no money. So, I'm stuck with what I got, a pre-built laptop.

I usually build my own by buying a barebones and then add the parts for it. The only few I bought complete where a mini mac and laptops!

But at least you're making the best of what you have by running Linux. And, you're not alone in this economy, myself included. That's why I'm starting one-off with people I know/meet, then friends of friends, finally strangers. Tell me your intended use & what you can afford. I'll work up an estimate & explain it. If you pay for parts, I'll make it happen, for my fee. Don't pay my fee? I keep your computer until you do. One has to build up a repore that you'll follow through, though, before expecting strangers to hand you their money pre-build.

However, mention one builds PCs & 99.9% of the time, they'll reply "Cool. Mine sucks. (I can't afford to replace it.)" Why is that...? They're stuck running bloated Micro$h!+. I offered to breathe new life into my "uncle"s lagging PC, by "upgrading" to Linux, in exchange for dinner (I can barely afford food). Of course I'd back it up, then migrate files. Maybe if he likes it, he might pay me for my efforts. *shrug* Out of curiosity, what might the average person pay for said "upgrade", with 30 days to try, or your money & previous OS/software setup back?

I built this one because I couldn't find a simple basic office style machine: I didn't need a vast HD or a video card. But the other one (IBM Thinkpad) I bought because it was just what I needed.

Incidentally, second-hand is a great option. My Thinkpad, with Ultrabay, cost me just 1/10 of what it sold for when it was new!

I bought one (an eMachines E625 laptop and then proceeded to tweak it 'til I got it the way I wanted, my second (and main)is also a refurbished Dell inspiron 1525 that was given to me after the HDD took a sh*t and the former owner lost pretty much all her files. This one I tore up and built using some custom parts as well as OEM stuff so in all fairness I cannot say that any of your options quite fit the bill with me (although I did vote for buy instead of build).