>
>Even with standard "commodity" computer parts, it's getting so there's so 
>much
>overhead in delivering individual parts to the end user that it's almost
>cheaper to buy a factory-built machine.  Only the fact that a Dell or a 
>Gateway
>is going to come bundled with things you could do without (like Windows) 
>gives
>you any price advantage in building your own, mostly it's more for the 
>sake of
>choosing exactly the components you want that you'd bother.

Case in point -- Aldi's (yes the grocery store) Medion that is made in 
Germany . . . . and the case looks has the fit/finish of a finely made 
automobile.   $899 -- 2.6G / 120 gig drive/ GForce TI4200 with 128Mb . . . 
you can't buy the parts that cheap let alone assemble it and get it working 
for that price.  And as an added bonus I've billed a lot more clients with 
the increased productivity since having one since November (Turkey 
day).   My parents bought one -- even had a few tech support calls and 
haven't had any problems getting help.  Shame such a great bargain was lost 
to the "it must be one step between an E-machine and Windows Microtel" 
doubters.   Their loss.

-- Bradley Miller