Looking for New System Options

Reading these threads has gotten my curiosity about possibly buying a new system from someone other than Dell or Alienware. I currently have a Dell XPS Gen 3 that I am thinking of upgrading to a new system. I dont like the current Dell XPS 710 mainly because it is too big. I want something more of the size of the Gen 3 at a reasonable price and also when you open the case everything doesnt say made in China. I always gotten good deals from Dell by buying refurbished systems.

I must have expensive taste because I have configured systems using the companies mentioned on these threads such as Falcon Northwest, AVA direct etc. and still it comes out way too expensive. Does anyone have any other companies that they have dealt with that have good prices and quality parts?

best bets are ava and velocitymicro

mitcity22 said:

best bets are ava and velocitymicro

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I'd also add Maingear and Puget Systems to that list.

It would very much surprise me if AVA was more expensive than Alienware or Dell's XPS line. They're very low-margin. Their prices aren't beat often by other companies.

Jason_Wall said:

I'd also add Maingear and Puget Systems to that list.

It would very much surprise me if AVA was more expensive than Alienware or Dell's XPS line. They're very low-margin. Their prices aren't beat often by other companies.

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With these low prices are they using high quality parts?
I have seen Dell slip over the 8 yrs that I have been buying from them.

With a builder like AVA,you can choose from a large selection of components and brands,so you can pick what you feel is the best quality,at a much lower price than Dell or Alienware. VelocityMicro is a little more expensive,but still way cheaper than them.And both companies have much higher consumer satisfaction ratings.

Thanks everyone for the leads. Im seriously tempted to break away from Dell for many reasons.