Dell Shipment :: When you absolutely must have it there...in a month or so...

Joel on Software - January 15, 2003

This really isn't funny:

When you need a computer right away, you can't call Dell: even when everything is working perfectly they have to build the computer for you and it takes a week or two to get it. Compare that to, say, PCConnection, which can overnight a new IBM or HP server to you and you get it the next day, and Dell is at a significant competitive disadvantage. Combine that with the fact that the no-margin-of-error inventory model means that every hiccup in the supply chain automatically results in an angry customer, and you have a pretty serious liability that probably hurts Dell a lot more than not carrying a few days of inventory helps them.

The buy it, wait for it to be built, wait for it to ship, then use it. Is not something I understand.
My philosophy goes like this. Pick out the motherboard. Make sure it has forward upgrade capability so you can reuse it in a year.

Pick out the hard drive you want, add a quantity of memory.

Pick items based on configuration, and price, if possible to save money buy in one place, if you can save money on shipping a micro-atx case, buy it now. You'll find a use for it later.

Agonize over the graphics card, but don't pick bleeding edge. $400 is always to much. $75 is too little unless you are adding multiple cards for multi-headed use.

CD-RW is cheap enough to always include...DVD-R/RW/(+/-) is still borderline. I've heard some good stuff about the Sony that just started shipping, maybe when it is <$250...
Never ever put a floppy in. The illusion of data backup and convenience is that, an illusion. You may, for BIOS flashing purposes keep one functioning floppy in your tool box.
So anyway, buy the components, order them as you decide what you want. They will arrive either simultaneously or in groups.

The idea is to relish the assembly, why should Dell get all the fun?

When finished, decide how you want to upgrade the system. A new heatsink fan for the processor would be nice, maybe an ultra quiet Power supply. What about a DV card for video download? You get the idea. As you progress over the next 6-8 months you will find that you've removed enough items, to consider building a new system. This makes an excellent project to help someone who may need a computer, but not the latest, greatest.