How to Build a Dell PC

Dude, if you want to get your own Dell computer just the way you want it, you need to know how to customize it to your liking. Many people who buy a Dell just go to the website and pick from a few computers that are listed and pick a few options. However, with a little bit more time and research you can get much more particular in choosing the options and hardware for your Dell.

Instructions

1. Do some research and find out what components you want. If you will be using intensive processing programs or using several applications at once, you want more memory. If you work with audio or video, you'll want a big hard drive. If you think you may want to upgrade your computer later, be sure to get a tower case and not a mini form factor. Determine if you have an operating system preference. Think of anything that's important to you and include it in a list of priorities for your computer. For any specific software you want to install, check the manufacturer's website for system requirements.

2. Go to the Dell website at www.dell.com and choose your category. Your first three choices are for home, office or data center. Data center is really for far advanced purposes for businesses that run complex servers and is best left for those who really know what they are doing. The difference between business and home computers from Dell seems to be that buying a business computer gets a wider choice of software bundles and better support, but with a higher price tag. If you want better support and you can justify yourself as a small or home business than you are probably better off selecting "For Office" and then "All Products and Offers" and then "Small & Medium Business." If you don't need the support and want to save some money, select "For Home" and then "All Products and Offers."

3. Select your system to build. On the left side of the website under "Browse PCs and Electronics," select either "Desktop PCs" or "Laptop PCs." On the left side, you will see a section titled, "Narrow Your Desktop (or Laptop) Selection." Under this heading are different options to help you find the Dell system that will have all of your needs. You should put a check mark in each box under each category to narrow down the computers that show up on the right side.

4. Customize the Dell. Once you have narrowed down your choices and selected a computer system to build, click the customize button and Dell will take you through a series of categories to let you customize each piece of hardware as much as their system allows. Sometimes you will be presented with three or four choices while some categories are limited to only one selection.

5. Buy it. The last thing you have to do is click "Add to cart" and then fill out your personal and billing information. Dell will give you a shipping date or estimate, and then they build your computer.

Resources

• Dell