imsai 2

From: Richard Erlacher <edick_at_idcomm.com>
Date: Thu Aug 19 18:44:06 1999

Tony, we have stores like that too, such as "CompUSA" or Circuit City. Even
though their prices are often outrageously high for the "add-ons" such as
mice or cables, their system prices are normally in line with other stores.
They have a replacement parts/upgrade components counter where things like
CPU fans, video boards, etc. are sold, but you have to bring your
information with you. What you get there is not reliable.

The thing that's insulting is that the prices of these items vary so wildly
that one dares not to rely on being able to afford even a simple add-on
without first knocking over the liquor store down the street.

I saw an ad a couple of days ago while shopping for motherboards, and found
a "bare bones" system consisting of a motherboard, CPU (300 MHz K6)
enclosure, floppy drive, and power supply, for $100. This was nationally
advertised over the web. I don't recall whether there was memory, a
keyboard, video card, or a mouse, but I was so overwhelmed, I didn't even
think to look. The local discounter wants that much for just the processor
IC!

Now, in today's high-volume, fast-paced market, I doubt there's any need for
one to worry about the power supply wearing out before his hardware becomes
obsolete. (These days that's when you can't even give it away any more or
about a year, whichever comes first.) The cheapo fans and PSU's we've been
kicking around generally last longer than that, and those fellows who have
to set the priorities, e.g. high quality quiet fan in your computer vs. $15
per unit in their pocket, have no trouble at all with their decision. That
certainly accounts for the presence of such low quality in the average
computer. The "real" electronics houses here in the US operate on the
notion that they provide what you buy. If you buy fewer than 5k pieces per
week, then it's probably more like you buy what they provide, but you get
the picture. If, out of the vast number of computer buyers out there, 1%
kept them long enough to have problems enough with the fan noise, life, or
PSU that they replaced them, grumling loudly as they went, there would be
high quality replacements available. Unfortunately, when your fan dies or
begins to make lots of noise, that corporate repair/installation fellow
comes around and you get a new computer.

Not too many average users complain about this.

Dick

-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Duell <ard_at_p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu>
Date: Thursday, August 19, 1999 3:55 PM
Subject: Re: imsai 2


>> > > rating) including shipping, it's hard to get vendors to stock
replacement
>> > > fans of any sort, let alone good and quiet ones.
>> >
>> > You don't get them from computer shops. You get them from _real_
>> > electronics shops/supply companies. It just so happens that they also
fit
>> > PC power supplies ;-).
>>
>> Tony, I resemble this implication! You have obviously never visited my
>> *computer shop* :>)
>
>Correct, I haven't...
>
>OK, some shops in the UK sell both computer parts (cases, motherboards,
>PSUs, etc) and electronic components. In fact most of the component shops
>also sell computer parts.
>
>But, by 'computer shop', I meant the sort of place that sells no-name (or
>worse still non-standard brand-name) PCs, packages software, etc. The
>sort of place that will try to sell you a new printer rather than a
>ribbon for your old one. Those places never sell useful spares like fans.
>
>-tony
>
Received on Thu Aug 19 1999 - 18:44:06 BST

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