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I work for a computer store, and we build computers. The one BIGGEST selling point for us is proprietary parts in retail machines. We let people know up front that we build computers that can be fixed anywhere in the world at a computer shop. We also tell them that dell or gateway or whoever usually use proprietary parts. These can be costly.
Case in point: Compaq computer comes in with a dead floppy drive. No open drive bays, must be installed in place of original floppy. Front bezel incompatible with ordinary floppy drive. Ordinary floppy drive=$10.00, Compaq floppy drive=$90.00
Loser - Compaq owners
Case #2: Dell power supply goes out. Customer comes in and tells us he needs a new PSU and buys one. Comes back same day with dead M/b, CPU, pci cards, AND the new PSU. Did some searching, dell puts proprietary m/b & PSU in systems. Looks like normal ATX connector, but intel board was redesigned for dell and different voltages go to different rails. Normal ATX PSU's dont work and fried the system. Customer was not only out a whole computer, but dell lost a customer for doing something so stupid, and believe me, this guy was going to tell everyone he knew about his experience.
Loser - Dell owners
Just goes to show you that a cheaper computer might be available from a big name company, but when something goes wrong, dont come crying to me about the cost of fixing it.
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I am not a vegetarian because I love animals; I am a vegetarian because I hate plants. -- A. Whitney Brown
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