The Toaster Computer

There are two ways to buy a computer. One is to buy the cheapest either because it's all you can afford or you intend on buying a new one in a year or two to keep up with the technology changes. The other is to buy a good (more expensive) computer intending to keep it for as long as you can. Both ways are fine and you make the decision based on your needs. There's a place for the cheap machine you can buy at the big-box stores. We call this a 'toaster' computer. Like a toaster, it is inexpensive. But once it breaks, you throw it away and get a new one. If all you need is a toaster, then by all means get the best toaster for the least money.

But consider this: you will be looking at this machine and using it a whole lot. The more you find out what your computer does, the more you will use it. The more you learn, the more you will use it. It takes time to turn it on and get it running. Then there's time to run the programs, access the internet, or handle pictures and video. Cheap computers usually have trouble at some point handling a lot of data. They need extra time to do the smallest task.

In general, the cheaper the computer the more frustration there is with how poorly it handles daily tasks. With a toaster computer you increase the risk of premature failure because the parts are not built to last.

A Windows desktop computer (just the tower) from Tech Support costs around $900.00 if you don't need a lot of graphics for gaming or drawing. This is a tower with a correctly sized power supply, mother board, processor (mostly we like to use Intel i5 or i7 processors wherever we can), hard drive (we like to use solid state drives if we can which cost a little more than a standard drive) and 8 Gigabytes or more of RAM. It will have basic video and sound (on the motherboard), two or three expansion slots, a gigabit LAN connection for cable internet, and about six USB 2.0 ports. If you need DSL or wireless it's a little more for a separate card. You use your existing mouse/keyboard/monitor, operating system (most people are still sticking with Windows 7) and DVD/CD burner if you have them. We can also put your old hard drive in the new tower for a little back up. This is obviously more than a toaster computer costs at the big box store, but read on to find out the benefits.

PLEASE NOTE: Any program that you use, such as a word processor (like Microsoft Word) or email program (like Microsoft Outlook) will have to be installed on the new hard drive. This means you will need to have separate program disks, or have the ability to download your program from the internet. Unfortunately, programs cannot simply be moved from one hard drive to another.

A big-box 'toaster' can be had for about $400.00 or so, sometimes less, and it would come with Windows 10 and probably a keyboard and mouse too. Maybe even a few others bells and whistles. However, the power supply would probably be undersized and not built very well. All the components will be cheaper and won't last as long as the better quality components we will buy for you. The toaster will also come with a bunch of annoying advertisements and junk software.

Speaking of junk, here are some more things to consider before you buy your 'toaster.'

No Junk Software

When you buy a toaster computer, it comes with all sorts of added software. Mostly it is just a packaged commercial for whoever built the machine. There will be all sorts of opportunities to purchase all sorts of software you don't need. There will be programs that get loaded into the startup section that will clutter up the RAM and slow down the performance.

There's no reason to put up with all that unless you don't use your computer for much and wouldn't know the difference anyway. Except that the more you use it the more you will see that the junk software gets in the way.

The other thing you will get from the big box store is Windows 10 (at this writing). Most people simply did not like Windows 8.1 or 10 and we don't recommend them either. An advantage to a custom built machine from Tech Support of Grand Junction is that you can choose to have it built with Windows 7. Until Microsoft comes out with a better OS you might really prefer to have us build you one instead, even if you prefer a toaster.

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Better Quality Parts

Once we had a budget CD burner that sounded like a propeller airplane taking off. It was fast (at the time) but really distracting. When you have a computer built by Tech Support, you get better quality parts. Our computers perform better and have fewer operating problems than the toasters.

The low-cost machines at the big-box stores, or even specific machines from manufacturers like Dell and Compaq, have proprietary methods of assembly. These assembly methods can be a good thing, making working on them easier. But mostly they're a pain in the you-know-where. Replacement parts are difficult to obtain, and generic parts just won't fit.

If you plan to get rid of them frequently (every year or two) and update, the cheapo toaster special might work out for you. But if you want the machine to last you might want to go with one built by Tech Support of Grand Junction. If you go the low-cost way, just remember that if there are any problems with the computer the cost savings usually go right out the window.

Wait. What are we saying, "if" there are any problems. We meant to say "when" there are problems.

Longer Warranties

Typical warranties on hard drives, motherboards and processors from Tech Support is three years. On DVD burners and power supplies, one year. On most RAM we can get a lifetime warranty. All warranties are from the manufacturer and subject to their limitations. For instance, if you get a power line surge from something like a lightning strike, that isn't covered. Labor for replacement is usually covered by the manufacturer's warranty too.

Warranties on toasters are about three months to one year at most. At that, you may have to send it to the manufacturer to get it worked on. Then you might just get back remanufactured parts.

Lasts Longer

With better quality parts you get longer life. This might not always be a concern if you like to upgrade frequently. But if you're like most people, conserving the budget is a priority.

Value is not the same as cost. You might spend $800.00 or $900.00 on a custom built computer tower where the big-box store has something that will do for $400.00. But if you have to replace that $400.00 computer every year, and the $900.00 one lasts three or four years or more, you are saving money in the long run.

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More Expansion

The way the cheap big-box computers are built means they are crowded inside. They economize by cramming everything into the smallest space possible. There is a little expansion room, usually, but not much. Heat is always a problem with computers, and the more crowded they are the higher the operating temperatures. The higher the temperatures the sooner they fail. You need space in your tower for air to circulate and remove heat before it can cause system degradation.

The way Tech Support builds computers there is plenty of expansion room. The power supply is oversized so you don't have to get a bigger one if you want more stuff in the box. The tower has room to spare. But the additional space does not cost all that much.

Choose Your Look

Another advantage to having Tech Support build a computer for you is you can make it look good. Mostly this applies to lots of choices for tower boxes. If you like the basic utility look, we can do that too. Usually it's more money than people want to spend, but if the tower is really visible in your house or business then perhaps a nicer box is a good thing.

Specific Components for Your Needs

The inexpensive big-box computers come with a selection of standard hardware. Most don't have modems anymore for dial-up internet. Some have video cards built in to the motherboard and they're not good for more than word processing or basic video viewing. Some are wireless and some are not. Tech Support makes sure that your custom built computer has the parts you need to do the job you've gotta do. We install just what you need, when you need it.