[rcs04]

I am starting a business and have plans for my own line of computers. I was wondering if anyone could answer any of these questions.....
First: Does dell, compaq, ibm, HP, etc..produce there own towers or do the have someone that they get there towers from?
Second: I am looking into the most efficient and cost effective way to buy parts. I have always bought my parts from newegg.com, but would it be cheaper to go directly through the manufactering company. Newegg's parts are cheap, but I can't seem to find anything about getting parts directly from manufactorers.

Can anyone give me some help with this?

[mxer210]

You can't realy go straight to the manufacturer. I would recommend finding a supplier. What makes you different from dell, HP, etc.?

[waveformpc]

The manufacturer usually deals directly to a few wholesale vendors, such as Ingram Micro, etc..

Technically, you could register with Ingram Micro or another supplier, but you better make sure that you're ordering very large quantities of products to get the deep discounts (i.e. I have been dealing with a few manufacturers direct, and they only provide discounts for quantities of 5000).

Also, as the above poster said... What seperates you from the competition? IBM and HP have been around for quite some time, while Dell and Gateway entered the market kind of late - it was their marketing scheme that set them apart (custom computers).

I am attempting a niche market, like specialized computers for cars (the direction which Microsoft wants to head - and I am currently talking to a MS representative)... I am currently taking investments from my friends and family members (around $3,000 each) to get things rolling. There are already a few companies which produce systems like these, but they haven't really advertised and got off the runway yet. I would like to get into this market and be the company that ends up producing these systems for the car manufacturers to install - It's just a big dream right now, but cars and computers will be one in the future, and I want to be there...

Another thought was to create a home stereo "front end" - Computers are actually capable of processing and decoding music much better than any stereo receiver (i.e. Kenwood, RCA, etc.). Most audio buffs are willing to spend thousands on this type of equipment - But the problem here is "branding".

[rcs04]

Whats sets me apart from dell, compaq etc...is the design of my computers and the quality of parts that we use. One of the computers I am currently designing is not in the market anywhere right now. Does anyone know whether or not dell produces their own towers or do they have someone else produce them for them.

[pentupentropy]

I think dell gets their towers from an asian company, but I have no idea which one. Is this something where you're going to go for the alienware market or business machines like penguin computing? VA Linux makes their own servers so they have a market for that because they specialize their whole OS around their architecture.

Buying from egg sounds like you're getting basic parts, is there something that stands out a little more about your service side or is it just a smaller niche?

[edit] whatever it is, don't be the next supermicro - they may still be in business but their parts still suck and I think I have a problem with 1 in 3 of their boxes =| [/edit]

[rcs04]

I don't intend on be the next supermicro or whatever. newegg.com sells very highend parts as well. I have always bought my parts from them. I only intend to use quality parts, I have always been about quality. Can anyone name me a few companies that produce towers that I may be able to get them to manufactor them for me and put my company name/logo (dont have a logo yet) on them? THanks for all the input.

[mxer210]

I wouldn't go that route. If you want to cut costs, you could just buy blank towers and put stickers or have a plastic insert manufactured that go on the front.Great Quality (a computer manufacturer) does this.

[rcs04]

what do you mean buy insert and where would i get those? Also do you know a good place to get those stickers as well.

[teana]

Depending on how your designs are like if its too radical, you would most likely have to find a manufacturer to create your cases. China is an obivous way to go, but your minimums will be high, especially the prototyping.

If you want to keep costs low, you can find some manufacturers in China that create the current cases, but cases like Dell's and Apples are all trademarked and you won't be able to get any cases like theirs.

Think Alienware.

ShuttlePC is a good one to see as well.

Rule of thumb. The more unique it is, the more expensive it will be to create.

[mpnetwork]

Hey rcs04

Everyone seems to be a bit critical, and to be fair this is a very competitive industry, so its justified.

Make sure to ask yourself a few questions

a) Are you sure nobody else is making these machines, maybe not the major players (Dell, HP, etc) but smaller companies too?

b) Is there a reason they are not making them?

c) Is there really a market for them?

d) What will your customer acquisition costs be?

e) Based on where the industry is heading, will these machines continue to be in demand?

f) How hard will it be for a major player to begin making them?

g) How long will it take for these machines to be obsolete?

If you can give an answer that satifies you and can convice friends / family / potential investors, then good luck.

[pentupentropy]

as for the little 1"x1" labels, raised plastic, you can find them on yahoo and all over the net. I'm not researching anywhere because I just don't have time to, but look, you'll find them. They cost $0.25 to about $0.60 each depending on how many and your design.