arthurlusby's Profile

Member since June 10, 2008

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    arthurlusby

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  1. Comment - Microsoft Store launches in the US with downloadable apps

    (Nov 17, 2008 - 1:37 PM)

    A little trivia: Windows XP x64 Edition is Windows 2003. It shares this moniker with Windows Server 2003 and Windows Home Server.

  2. Comment - HP Blackbird 002 gaming rig finally comes to retail

    (Jun 10, 2008 - 12:19 PM)

    Tech support notwithstanding, HP isn't cutting corners in this market segment. They appear to be using components from brands that people have heard of instead of some no-name "Valu-tec" knockoff.

    Again, no experience with HP's support. I tend to build my own PCs due to a budget limitation.

  3. Comment - HP Blackbird 002 gaming rig finally comes to retail

    (Jun 10, 2008 - 12:10 PM)

    Also, your +30% markup estimate was surprisingly accurate. Judging from the article's "configuration for retail" and the list of components on HP's Blackbird specifications sheet, an equivilant do-it-yourself would cost $2,290.

    Here's the blackbird page:
    http://h20435.www2.hp.com/#/tech-specs/

    Here's the Newegg 'wishlist':
    http://secure.newegg.com...WishListNumber=11847487

    So you're paying about $1,000 for a custom case, technical support, and assembly. That's a little steep for me, but some people have more money to throw around than others.

  4. Comment - HP Blackbird 002 gaming rig finally comes to retail

    (Jun 10, 2008 - 11:23 AM)

    Unless you consider your time worth $0/hr, these systems aren't a complete rip off. You get a fast PC with quality parts, a unique case you can't buy from Newegg/Tigerdirect, and (most importantly) if it breaks, HP gets to deal with the fun task of warranty service.

    And, if you've been out of the PC Hardware loop for a few years and aren't current on what's what, this sort of product will save you the several hours necessary to sift through product reviews and read between the lines on deals too good to be true.

    That being said, I have no personal experience with HP's technical support, or their high-end line of computers. This is just why someone who *could* build their own computer might choose to take a shortcut and purchase something like this.