For my own computers, I prefer to build myself, as I save a ton, and usually end up with a machine I'm happier with.
But as someone who's helped with many IT purchasing decisions, having a supported configuration and a company to call (instead of me being front line IT support, PC support, hardware support, etc.) is a huge benefit.
And right now there aren't a ton of Linux-first hardware vendors, so System76 charges a premium. It's worth it to some, but not to many.
Note that the system starts at $3299 — $2,000 of the price of the as-configured workstation was the 512 GB of ECC RAM. Those sticks cost $160/ea on Amazon.
There's a markup, but it's not $7000 for a computer that costs $3500 DIY. The DIY cost would be somewhere around $4000-4500 and would have a 2.6 GHz CPU and Dual 10 GbE instead of 25 GbE.
I'd like to see Ampere get all their CPU models out to retail availability though. Right now if you bought the base model for $3299, you could buy a M128-30 CPU for $2299, but only through NewEgg's "Request a Quote" system, which is a potshot.
>$7000 for a computer that costs $3500 DIY. The DIY cost would be somewhere around $4000-4500 and would have a 2.6 GHz CPU and Dual 10 GbE instead of 25 GbE.
I'm seeing some deals on the ram which can get it down to 1200 or less for the 512
So instead of a 100% markup, a modest 75%.
I just can't imagine the person who.
A) Needs this setup.
And.
B) Can't fit some computer
parts together and install an OS.
Even then eventually issues will emerge. I have more faith in being able to fix my own PC vs waiting a full week for tech support. All the parts should be under warranty.
As Jeff said, professionals and businesses. Imagine asking 300 engineers to furnish their own workstation with a budget. Everywhere I worked this would be nuts, maybe 2% of engineers would be excited to build a machine, 98% would just buy OEM. And what happens when something goes wrong for those two percent? If someone at my team meeting would say “sorry I can’t help with the project this week I’m arguing with MSI support so I can RMA my motherboard” like… what?? Losing a few days of work is already $2000. Having an unbounded worst case remediation time from failure is just unthinkable.
When I have a hardware problem with an Apple device, I can drive to an Apple Store and exchange the device for a new copy the same day, errand will take 2 hours in total. Big OEMs like Lenovo will send a guy to your location to fix the system within a day or two. System76 will mail you a new copy as soon as they can build it.
I used to build my own gaming PCs and home servers but the next one I buy will probably be from a high-end OEM because I will gladly pay a 75% markup to spend my time on other things. I used to find scouring the Internet for good deals, researching fan ducts, and zip-tying cables fun, but I’ve hit my lifetime limit doing it - now it’s just busy work.
But as someone who's helped with many IT purchasing decisions, having a supported configuration and a company to call (instead of me being front line IT support, PC support, hardware support, etc.) is a huge benefit.
And right now there aren't a ton of Linux-first hardware vendors, so System76 charges a premium. It's worth it to some, but not to many.
Note that the system starts at $3299 — $2,000 of the price of the as-configured workstation was the 512 GB of ECC RAM. Those sticks cost $160/ea on Amazon.
There's a markup, but it's not $7000 for a computer that costs $3500 DIY. The DIY cost would be somewhere around $4000-4500 and would have a 2.6 GHz CPU and Dual 10 GbE instead of 25 GbE.
I'd like to see Ampere get all their CPU models out to retail availability though. Right now if you bought the base model for $3299, you could buy a M128-30 CPU for $2299, but only through NewEgg's "Request a Quote" system, which is a potshot.