For many years, it's usually been cheaper to build your own PC using hand-selected components than purchase a pre-built machine, but is that still true in 2026?

In the old days of computing, users often bought kits and put together their own machines. Part of the fun of owning a computer was figuring out how everything worked together. You still can build ...

I tried it once. I built a PC from scratch and it reminded me of a Heathkit electronics kit I assembled for a Boy Scout merit badge. Sure, I saved some money–but overall, I didn’t enjoy it. Intel’s ...