Barebone systems are desktop computers that come with only the most basic hardware. They are usually sold with a case, power supply, motherboard and processor. Some barebone systems offer motherboards with built-in sound cards and video cards. Other internal components, such as hard drives and memory must be purchased and installed separately.

Your business can save money with barebone systems because the barebone systems provider is able to save on the cost of assembly and software setup, meaning cheaper hardware for you. When considering a barebone system it's important to make sure you have employees who can assemble the hardware, because outsourcing assembly eliminates the net savings a barebone system can provide. When purchasing a barebone system, also consider the following:

1. Find barebone systems with built-in sound and video to minimize initial set-up.

2. Create a multimedia computer with barebone systems that do not come with sound and video.

3. Maximize savings on high performance computers with barebone systems.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find barebone systems with built in sound and video functionality

Look at a provider's barebone systems list for barebone systems with motherboards that have on-board video and sound. Separate video and sound cards can be expensive and dramatically reduce the efficiency of a barebones system. If your business does not require high-performance sound and video capabilities, this is the best option.

I recommend: Mwave.com and Directron.com offer a range of barebone systems from low- to high-end. Find barebone systems from both of these suppliers with built-in sound cards and video cards.

Build multimedia computers with truly 'bare' barebone systems

Video and sound cards built into motherboards are economical options, but these built-in cards tend to lag on performance. If your business needs high-performance sound and video cards for multimedia editing, video conferencing or website creation, it's best to find a barebone system provider who offers a bare motherboard. Then, add a high-quality sound card and video card later.

I recommend: PC Direct Source and Magic Micro offer many barebone systems sold without built-in sound and video cards.

Create high-end computers with high-performance barebone systems

Barebone systems are not just for businesses looking to build cheap computers. Some barebone system providers offer barebone systems with high-performance processors. With these barebone systems you can tailor computers to your business' specific high-end needs and save money by not spending money on a computer retailer's top-of-the-line models.

I recommend: CompUSA offers many high-performance barebone systems. Ibex Computers offers customizable barebone systems so you can choose the exact high-end components you need in a barebone system.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with your business' IT manager to see what operating system licenses your business owns. In order to legally install an operating system on a barebones system, you must own a license.