I don't know about anyone but I get very annoyed with the software that is bundled with new computers. Not only it is very limited or useless in some cases, but it is such low quality that those big computer manufacturers should be ashamed that they let the software go through. One example, on my computer, the software that came with a card that had a TV and VCR connection won't work if the card itself is moved to another PCI slot, and I have to move it since the sound card won't fit anywhere else.

 

Anybody has the same problem ? :)

That's the way they build them. They want you to buy new every cou0ple years and make it hard to upgrade anythiing. Not to mention they bundle all the software on a recovery disk and when you do a restore if everything isn't exactly as they put them the stuff will not reload. The last pre-built I bought was an IBM 486sx. The only way to go is build your own.

No more prebuilt computers for me, that is for sure :).

I think it all depends on the manufacturer. When I got my Alienware, all the bundled software was full versions (except the OS, but I don't think that retail Windows is ever actually sold to a person except in a few rare caes ...). When I bought a new CD burner, however (Plextor), it came with a burning app (Roxio) that wouldn't actually acknowledge that the burner was there. The only way that you can assure software to work is to get it yourself, either through FOSS or retail.

 

I would note, however, that hardware configuration-wise, the only way to not get shafted is to build your own; the component choices in that box, especially the warranty replacements, are really poor except for the couple of parts that show up on a spec sheet (gfx, sound ...)

building my own is the only way i'd go anymore. i've never bought a pre-built myself, though i've only owned about 3.5 computers of my own. 3.5 because i've bought many parts just for upgrades, and after so many upgrades you have a whole pc made up of spare parts.

 

anyhow pre-builts have their place. they tend to be pretty cheap price wise, so if you're not an enthusiast, or don't use your pc as much as people like us do, a pre-built would be a good idea.

 

whenever a friend says they need a pc or a new one i suggest having them let me build it for them, or at least allow me to help them build it. i have a friend right now who i'm waiting on to allow me to build his. a little spare cash never hurts.