Gentlemen:
I am looking for reviews/evaluations of Computer Kits. Complete PC's,
cases and all, not just individual components, eg: motherboards,
modems, power supplies, etc. I know of Barebone Systems and Tiger
Direct.com . There must be more  companies out there that
offer PC's in kit form. I want to know about the quality and  brand of
the components they use, clarity of the instructions/manuals, support,
warranties, etc.etc.
I want to build my 2nd PC and would prefer to go the Kit rout this
time and  avoid component comparibiity issues, or 'I forgot to get
this cable, that fan, those brackets/screws etc'.
Thanks:


TEVA

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Request for Question Clarification by maniac-ga on 26 Feb 2003 16:34 PST

Hello Teva,

Getting reviews on a kit computer is going to be really tough. I can
find a number of other vendors that sell kits and may be able to point
out reviews on key parts such as
 - motherboards
 - disk drive
or the vendor. Would that information answer your question?

  --Maniac

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Clarification of Question by teva-ga on 26 Feb 2003 18:02 PST

Maniac:
I was afraid of that, that's why I posted here! I will accept your
answer only if you include some tutorials in building PC's . I don't
mean How To's, I already have those sources, and a CD even. Most How
To's can tell you how to buld a PC, but they don't tell you  what/how
to get the parts, avoiding sompatibilty issues before hand, tips, and
tricks, etc. etc. For example I found tutorials in using 'fdisk'
utility not just guides, which help me along the way when I format,
and partition my HD.
Did I confuse you?

TEVA

Hello Teva,

OK. I think I can "name that tune". I will start with a selection of
companies making kit computers, provide some reviews of items (and
methods to get more), as well as any reviews I could find relative to
the suppliers themselves.

A general comment - some of the sites omit what I consider pretty
basic cautions. For example:
 - *always* use an ESD (Electro Static Discharge) strap connected to
the case and try to keep all components on ESD safe surfaces. In a dry
area - static can ruin your PC in a real hurry.
 - read the instructions at least once, then do the task - consult if
you don't remember a step
 - check cables are secure before you power on.

Companies

Companies that sell kits include the ones you mentioned plus
  http://www.pc-computer-components.com/DIY-PC-Kits.htm
which has a selection of pre-selected components for you to build.

Aaronix.com (may be your "Bare Bones System" supplier)
http://www.aaronix.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/537?osCsid=c802b0c9a779a3b2a9508d8aa3ca3f4b
has a pretty extensive list of selections in the major categories.
They will assemble and test for about $10 or let you do it yourself.

Nutrend
  http://www.nutrend.com/app/MyConfiguration.asp?Submit=view
has a pretty long list of products though they consider this more of a
"list of parts" and does not guarantee that what you buy will actually
assemble (and work).

Appears to be an English company but they include an on line
correspondence course
  http://www.kemtec.com/pcspec1.htm

A couple "bare bones" system provided by this company
  http://www.pcmcis.com/barebone.html
where I believe you get the case / power supply / motherboard and you
have to do the rest.

This company sells equipment and provides a pretty detailed step by
step assembly guide including illustrations.
  http://www.buildyourowncomputer.net/
(though this may be a company in England)

Tutorials

Even more detailed list of steps to "Build your own PC"
  http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/index.htm
Gets a few points to mention the need for grounding but doesn't do so
until step 4!

Another huge tutorial
  http://www.hardwarecentral.com/hardwarecentral/tutorials/109/1/
Also note the reviews link on the left column.

Another good tutorial as well as suggestions on part selection
  http://www.byopc.com/

A text only reference, perhaps focused too much on low cost items
instead of high quality
  http://www.webfreebees.net/howtobuildpc.html

About.com has a number of these kind of references, here is the build
your own PC one
  http://peripherals.about.com/cs/buildyourpc/index.htm?terms=build+your+own+pc
Check the "Before you Buy" and the "Product Review" links on the left
column.

Of course, Google has a directory on this topic
  http://directory.google.com/Top/Computers/Education/Hardware/HowTos_and_Tutorials/Build_Your_Own_PC/?il=1
I suggest a few search phrases such as
  tutorial
  review
  recommended
  "don't buy"
  ESD
or other phrases to focus the references. For example, the last one is
only matched by one site - the FAQ for the newsgroup
alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt. A review of messages on that newsgroup
via
  http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&group=alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt
may be helpful as well.

Reviews

A number of product reviews are at
  http://www.reviewnation.com/
as well as sites I made note of above.

A suggested "Super PC"
  http://www.mysuperpc.com/
be sure to scroll down - the narration follows a big pile of ads and
links.

A mixture of reviews and recommended vendors for purchasing the
components such as PC cases
  http://geek.dealtime.com/xPP-PC_Cases
At the top, select "Computers" to get to other items.

Wow - that is a lot of material on this topic. There are certainly
some lower risk solutions such as the pre selected parts from some of
the vendors. Paying the $10 to 25 to have the system assembled may be
a good idea as well. For example, with Nutrend, you get a 3 year
warrantee on parts and labor when you have them assemble the computer.

  --Maniac

Well organized and complete, could not do it better myself, even dough
maniac only answered my original question somewhat. I agreed to an
alternate answer, since he was honest enough to tell me that he may
not be easy to find what I was looking for.
Thanks:

TEVA