81. Proprietary versus Clone
By Andrew D. Wright
When shopping for a new computer one important question is whether to
purchase a proprietary computer or a clone?
The answer will depend on your
own personal needs.
A proprietary computer is a computer manufactured to a specific unique
design by a single company and is generally not compatible with third
party hardware. Computers from Apple, HP/Compaq, and Dell would be
examples of proprietary computers.
A clone computer is a computer made up of standard interchangeable parts
from various manufacturers. Your local computer store might put it
together for you or you might do it yourself.
The proprietary computer has the advantage of centralized user support and
(ideally) all the hardware has been designed to work well together. There
is usually a generous software package included as well.
The clone computer has the advantage of better upgrade options, and more
choice of computer components such as the video card and processor.
One disadvantage of the proprietary computer is that it has limited
upgrade and repair options. You are usually stuck with sending the
computer back to the manufacturer for any hardware problems. Upgrading the
hardware is often not possible.
A disadvantage to the clone computer is occasionally hardware from
different manufacturers will not work well together and this can cause any
number of problems. It's good to do a bit of research when choosing the
hardware components and any computer store worth their salt will be able
to advise you on this as well.
Repairing a clone computer is usually easy because standard parts can be
swapped out with working ones purchased from the local computer store.
Software is another point to consider. While some individual clone
components may come with software (such as a couple of games being
included with a video card, or fax software with a modem), for the most
part you are on your own and software can cost hundreds of dollars.
Proprietary computer manufacturers with their larger purchasing power can
get cheaper deals on software so usually include it with the computer.
This can be a bad thing sometimes too. Windows users might not get a full
CD of the operating system that can be used to set up a different computer
but instead get a "recovery disk" designed only for the specific model of
computer they have. The recovery disk will erase the hard drive of the
computer and put back the factory settings. Bye bye personal information
and other installed programs since there are none of the repair options
available from the full Windows CD.
With a good choice of case and power supply, a clone computer purchased
now can be turned into a new computer in two years time by replacing its
motherboard and processor at minimal cost. Odds are pretty good this can
be done again two years after that as the basic layout does not change
very often.
Many components from the old clone will be able to be used in
the new one without having to replace them.
Note about the
previous Mousepad. The Knoppix 5 CD and DVD due to be released
to the mirrors any day now includes read and write support for the Windows
2000/XP NTFS file system.
The Mousepad runs every two weeks. It's a service of Chebucto Community
Net, a community-owned Internet provider. If you have a question about
computing, email mousepad@chebucto.ns.ca. If we use your question in
a column, we'll send you a free mousepad.
Originally published 2 April 2006
