Custom computer builders

[pvr]

I buy about 50 PCs a year which I use on customer sites, so I generally spec them to their needs (CAD user, standard office use etc). This is not my main line of business and only use it as a service to my customers who prefer me to get the hardware rather than buy it themselves.

I have used a company for the last 10 years that build custom units, but they have let me down so badly over the last 3 months that I have to find another supplier.

I want the 3 year warranty element and be able to spec the components to some degree (more like RAM amount, SSD, graphics card only, OS version only).

Recommendations welcome.

 

[TrickyDicky]

Some people balk at the D word, but Dell let you customise builds?

Posted from Tapatalk

 

[pvr]

I tried a quote with Dell, and they were less than helpful. When requesting custom components (such as a graphics card or even worse a second hard drive0), they would not supply the caddy to support the second drive which I thought was odd. You would have to buy that separately from their parts department - which defeats the object as I do not want to build the machines, just get them shipped to customers sites ready to be switched on.

 

[TrickyDicky]

Ah OK, Lenovo look to have a wide range these days.


Edit just looked and it let me spec multiple drives etc online
Posted from Tapatalk

 

[Disca]

Have you tried Scan / Overclockers UK?

They are more in the components sales but sell some prebuilt speccable rigs.

That is where I normally source my parts from, though haven't used them for assembly.

Not sure if you could get what you want from them but they'd probably be quite reasonable in discussion, they normally are decent enough to offer discounts if bulk buying components for a build so might be flexible enough in their services to deliver what you want? No harm in asking.

Haven't really used any other companies as the only rigs I put together are for gaming so are non-standard component builds.

 

[danmiddle2]

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

Focus on gaming rigs, but I am sure there are other options there. I can't speak highly enough of the service / spec / build quality.

 

[jimmybell]

On a more corporate scale, you can potentially consider talking to resellers, rather than direct with manufacturers. You'll get a much larger voice with whichever brand you buy (support / assistance), and they can advise you on what's current and best bang-for-buck. I order anything from £half-mil systems through to £500 desktop PC's, some i want tomorrow, some in 3 months time - just means it's someone else's problem.

One middleman i have in my IT life that i definitely like to have around. Companies like Insight are an example, though i've no idea if they're any good these days. The guys i use tend to be pretty focussed on hardware specific to my business so wouldn't be much use for average business use.

For personal use i tend to buy from Scan or Aria, unless OCUK somehow has a decent price on something.

 

[domsz4]

http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk

Focus on gaming rigs, but I am sure there are other options there. I can't speak highly enough of the service / spec / build quality.

i would have said that as the mrs has had one she bought herself and it was fine. She moved departments and all thier laptops came from them. the first one was just a temporary thing they had (brand new but was for assigned for another job) while her actual laptop arrived. this one was fine but the new one that arrived is a bag of s**t. the wireless card was not plugged in, the touch pad doesnt work and is mental heavy. the weight is just down to spec being a 15.xx quad i7 jobbie but the other two items are just unacceptable. hopefully just a erroneous mistake but i think the group have had other niggles with drivers too

 

[Sae]

Also to mention the D company, they have a reseller europc, I've got my last two chunky work laptops (m4400) and server from them, but last one was over 3 yrs ago (everything still running) so don't know what their service is like now or range...but they were good when I dealt with them

 

[Anonymous]

Bad experiences with Aria, although admittedly several years ago.

Bought a complete system from them for a teacher once...it arrived with bits loose inside the case....and the case was RIVETED shut, so you couldn't open it!

Another time, a colleague used to recommend them to Drs surgeries (in the days when they ordered there own kit). He has now left, and we went through a phase of them just dieing etc. s**t components.

 

[nightyard]

is it not an option for you to just buy all the kit yourself??
building computers is simple but time consuming on a large scale,but maybe you'd make a nice margin doing it yourself or having someone build them all for you though?

most components have good warranties.... usually 3 years?

you'd probably be able to get a great price from a supplier for a large amount of components also.

 

[2dogs]

I've used http://www.novatech.co.uk in the passed,very good service
And theirs a business site

 

[pvr]

Ah yes, novatech - used them years ago, did not realise they still existed.

nightyard, it is not worth it for me to build my own systems. I will build my own for personal use but my time is better spend doing my real work rather than make £100 or so spending hours on it myself.

 

[Disca]

Novatech are normally overpriced compared to Scan / OcUK

 

[jimmybell]

Hah, i used to work at Novatech.

Not bad, price is OK and service is OK. I mainly use them because if i had a parts problem i could just drive down the road and get it RMA'd, rather than posting things.

 

[bladeowner]

I can recommend Maple Systems. http://www.maplesystems.co.uk/
Very customer focused and friendly bunch. If you are interested, I can give you the name of the MD to have a chat to. PM for details.