Quote - There is really no need to custom build your own Poser/Game computer.

 

This issue spurred a "teachable moment" over dinner with my kids last night.  I explained how --relative to me building one for myself-- companies like Dell can offer lower prices based on bulk purchase discounts they get on components and yet they need to increase prices to cover labor, overhead, and other costs of doing business.  Trying to keep my lesson in business and economics to a level appropriate for teenagers, I offered a FEW additional insights such as the importance of assigning a value to my own time ("opportunity cost of time" for you economists out there).  But I also explained that building one myself allows me to avoid features I don't want (e.g., those irritating software add-ons mentioned by another poster below) and improve the flexibility I may want for future upgrades (e.g., avoiding proprietary parts from places like Dell).  Most importantly for me, I want to use the project to teach and inspire my son, who has shown both keen interest and aptitude around computers.  Kind of like the old days when your dad might have showed you how to clean a carburetor (when cars had those) or passed along other life skills.  All this because I'm starting to think that the secret to getting your kids through the teenage years may just be to help them find and nurture a (healthy) passion for something.  So... bring on the grounding wrist straps and phillips head screwdrivers!