Compare Computer Works to the competition

How can you compare the quality of the computer system you want to buy and the type of company with which you wish to do business? The average user knows very little about the parts that make up a computer system and the differences in service and warranty coverage among various dealers. Learn about:

--The Difference between a "well made" and a "poorly" built computer system. -- How do Computer Works’ service policies compare with the competition?
--How do some computer dealers 'cut corners' in their products and services? --Compare Technical support services.

System design
Computer Works builds custom-made, standard-design computers. These are the best type of computers. Why? Because they use all standard parts. You are not dependent on the dealer you originally purchased from, (not that Computer Works want to lose you), because you can buy parts that will fit in your Computer Works computer anywhere in the world! Standard design means easy and low-cost upgrades, convenient and low-cost repairs. Imagine if you had to buy tires for your car only at the Dealership you bought your car from…. You know you would pay a lot more!

Them: Does the system include proprietary hardware? Most manufacturers, such as Compaq, HP, Dell, Gateway, IBM and others produce proprietary systems. These companies design their computers with non-standard proprietary components, so that in the event you want to upgrade or replace a defective component; you are forced to do business only with them! And because there is not a competitive marketplace for these components, you will have to pay extremely high prices to the computer manufacturer to get them.

Check under the hood?
Computer Works: What is the difference between a Computer Works advertisement and one from one of our competitors? You probably already know. Computer Works love to tell you all the details of what our computers are made of. We goes through great lengths to describe even the smallest of details. You need and deserve to know the names, models and specifications of the components in your computer system. Computer Works likes to give you as much information as possible. On our web site and in our ads, you will always see as much detail as we can give you on everything. Why? We’re proud of the components that we use. We take great care in deciding which products to offer you. You can see that almost everything Computer Works offers is an industry leading and highly regarded product. Computer Works tell you what's under the hood because we have nothing to hide.

Them: In their ads they will be as vague as possible in their descriptions of the PCs that they are offering. Why? Because they want to get you to focus on a few of the specifications and they don't want you to think about the nitty-gritty issues of the components that will be going into your PC. They know that less you understand about what is going into your PC and what their service and warranty policies consist of, the less that you will be able to compare their system with their competitors.

By the way, it’s not just other local dealers who regularly try to mislead you on the quality and specifications of the components that they sell. It’s the big names too! Ever wonder who makes the parts that go into a Compaq, Gateway, Dell or Sony? What hard drive is used in those systems? What video card? What memory modules? Who really makes the monitor? Etc, etc, etc. They think that what you don't know won't make you buy a computer someplace else. Be a smart consumer and expect to know the details. Don't settle for generic descriptions!

Computer Case
Computer Works: Computer Works use only the highest quality cases with our computers. For example…. The In-Win case is made from heavy-duty 1 mm thick steel, no sharp edges, sliding motherboard mount and holder for extra case cooling fan. The mid-size tower holds up to seven drives for added future expansion capability. All of our cases come with at least a 300-watt power supply and have areas to place extra fans. We invite you to come in and see a demonstration of our computer cases. We have many to choose from. We can also special order pretty much any case out there…. just let us know where you’ve seen it…. and Computer Works will do our best to get it for you.

Them: Check to see if they use thinner metal (usually .6 mm thick), sharp edges that can actually cut you if you upgrade your computer's hardware, a difficult-to-work-with stationary motherboard housing, no facility for extra case fan, and/or mini-tower-size case that only holds 1 or 2 drives. Also, check to see the wattage on their power supply…usually lower than 300 watt.

RAM
Computer Works: Many Customers believe that RAM is RAM. THIS IS NOT TRUE! The RAM Quality makes a huge difference in the overall performance of your computer. We prefer to sell only motherboard-manufacturer approved memory modules. Mainly MICRON, Infineon, Samsung & SuperTalent. This is important, because there are big differences in the quality of memory modules produced. In particular, the quality of the chips themselves and the design of the EEPROM on the SDIMM module can vary greatly. In Pentium 4 class systems, you will find that Computer Works sell only modules which are approved by the manufacturers of the motherboards that we sell. Micron manufactured memory modules are approved by Abit, Asus, Intel, Gigabyte and MSI. In addition to our standard warranty, Computer Works also offer a 3-year to Lifetime warranty on the memory in our computers.

Them: Try to understand that most dealers have a single goal in mind. Buy the computer parts as cheaply as possible and sell the system for as much as possible. What the customer doesn't know won't make them go buy a system somewhere else. Ask about the brand name of the RAM they use. You will find that they will rarely use the brands of RAM Computer Works uses. Can they demonstrate that the motherboard manufacturer actually approved them? Does the dealer even know the difference? Watch out for no-name or inferior brand-name RAM, odd (unreliable) designs and a 1-year warranty only. Computer Works realize that the same amount of RAM can be found for almost half the cost elsewhere…but believe us…. it’s not the same quality!

Hard Drives

• Computer Works: We use mostly Seagate and Western Digital hard drives. These drives carry up to a Five Year manufacturer's warranties and have a VERY LOW failure rate. Check our website or ask a sales associate for performance specifications. We purchase our drives only from authorized distribution sources. You can expect to obtain the full manufacturer's warranty from drives purchased at Computer Works. Should your Hard Drive require service within the warranty period…. it’s a snap to get it replaced!

• Them: They use OEM channel hard drives. What does this mean? It means that the manufacturer, (Western Digital, Maxtor, etc) originally sold the drive to a major OEM such as Compaq, HP or Gateway. The problem is that because this drive was originally sold through the OEM channel, it does not carry the full manufacturer's warranty and if the drive should require servicing you can only return it through the dealer that you bought your PC from and only for at most one year. After the year is up, the dealer's warranty is over with the distributor and you are stuck!

Parts Warranty

• Computer Works: Computer Works offer a 1-2YEAR Parts Warranty on everything inside the case. If anything should fail within the warranty period our first choice is to give you a replacement. If a replacement is not available Computer Works will do our best to offer you a loaner while your part is sent out for service. Our flexible warranty allows end-users to open up the computer chassis without voiding the warranty, allowing self-service upgrades. Computer Works would never force our customers to come to us to add more memory, DVD drives, modems, additional hard drives, etc! Of course Computer Works want you future upgrade business, but only if you feel that doing business with Computer Works is what you want. We won't twist your arm!

• Them: Be careful of inflexible warranties that require customers to bring their computer only to the original dealer for all modifications and upgrades. If you open the case, you void your warranty! Is this really fair?

Labor Warranty

• Computer Works: Computer Works are proud to offer a 1-3 Year WARRANTY on all our Pro & Xtreme system.. This means that Computer Works will provide the labor to work on your computer to repair defects in workmanship and materials. In most cases, you have your computer back within days (not weeks) and in some cases…SAME DAY!

• Them: Don’t settle for short, one-year labor warranties. Even if they do have more than a one-year warranty, how long have they been in business? Will they be around to support you for the life of your computer system? Don't be afraid to ask for the details.

Also, don’t be sold on “In-Home Warranties” Did you know that before they will send someone out to your house they will make you insert your RESTORE CD that came with the computer…This process actually erases your Hard Drive and restores the computer to the day you bought it…ALL DATA AND PROGRAMS ARE LOST! They automatically assume that your software is causing your problem. A lot of times it is software…but what if its not? Should you lose all your important data? What if it’s something simple as a bad stick of RAM or a glitch in the software? They do not have troubleshooting skills.

Technical Support

• Computer Works: FREE technical support for 3 years. The same guys that build your computer are usually the guys that will answer the phone. Computer Works will help in any way we can! We also make every attempt to pick up the telephone when you call. We do not use a complicated voice-mail system, as we prefer to give you the most personalized service we can.

• Them: Ask about whether they have dedicated tech support technicians. And in what country are they located. Or does just anybody without formal technical support training pick up the phone. Watch out for 900-number pay as you go assistance, lack of professional technical support management software, endless and complicated voice-mail systems, keeping you on hold indefinitely!

Quality Assurance

• Computer Works: We use an extremely rigid test process for every computer before it can leave our production area. Our technicians thoroughly test each computer by going through a long and very detailed QC checklist. The system is then put through a burn-in test. Finally a Sr. Technician, (never the same technician that originally built the computer) retests the entire computer system with a separate checklist to see to it that each system Computer Works build is set up correctly and works flawlessly. Computer Works actually spend as much time on quality control as Computer Works do on initial assembly.

• Them: Check with the dealer. Are they using less rigid testing or no test standards at all? Be sure to check on this extremely crucial part of any well-built computer system. Remember, Anything mass-produced usually means “More Failures”.

Full Driver Installation

• Computer Works: We’ll set up all the drivers you need to run your system. Although Computer Works give you the backup CD's and diskettes for your system hardware, you can be sure that we will set everything up for you. When you bring the computer home, expect to have all the software drivers loaded for the hardware in your computer. We set up your video card, modem, CD-ROM, tape backup, sound card, scanner, printer and any other special hardware you have ordered from us.

• Them: Are they only performing a simple loading of Windows and not much more? What if you buy a printer or scanner down the road?

Repair what you sell!

• Computer Works: we know what we sell. Computer Works are very familiar with the products we carry. we have to be. So if you need service down the line, you can be sure that Computer Works will be able to help you.

• Them: Some companies will sell you a custom computer, but when it you bring it to them for service they will tell you that you have to ship it to their custom production facility. The stores refuse to work on them! Make sure that the computer you buy can be serviced where you buy it.

Whatever the question, from basic to the most advanced, Computer Works will always be glad to help you.

We are a company with a love for building dream machines, and selling them at very reasonable prices. We usually beat the prices of larger stores & mail-order companies and manage to use better components at the same time. How do we do it? Skilled personnel, and low overhead costs contribute to our success. We are proud to say that “word of mouth” is our largest source of business.
Please browse our Website or feel free to call us with any questions that you can think of. Remember, your computer system can be built to include ANY components you desire, and with each component, you will have a choice of many different manufacturers. Your system can be built specifically for any task or price range, and we’re always glad to give suggestions if you are having trouble making a decision. There are no stupid questions!
Our philosophy is…Build a great system…Make it reliable, Make it upgradeable. Never hide anything from the customer! Honesty is always the best Policy! The customers will see it and they will be back because of it.

Computer Works of Sylvan Lake, Inc.

2534 Orchard Lake Rd.

Sylvan Lake, MI 48320

248-738-8700

248-239-0706 fax

info@cwsl.net

www.cwsl.net

AIM/MSN compwrks