If you’re looking for a passive income stream, you can certainly make money building and selling personal computers (also known as PCs). There are numerous companies and online market places that will pay you to build and sell them.
The question is, are you going to make enough money to support your lifestyle and that of your family? More importantly, are you going to make a profit? Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of how to make money building and selling PCs.
The Industry)
Even though you don’t have to be technically skilled to build a personal computer, it certainly helps. A lot of training is required to know which parts to buy and how to put them together effectively. Another important qualification is the ability to sell different kinds of computers and operating systems. You’ll be asked to set up your own sales agency and to display various marketing materials.
Over the years, the industry has evolved and consolidated. There are now several large companies that control the majority of the market. They will also provide you with all the necessary materials to build your PCs. The companies that control this market are called PC OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers).
You’ll have to decide whether you want to specialize in selling PCs for gaming or productivity. The former is one of the most popular markets because these devices are often more expensive than what the average person needs. If you’re looking to specialize in selling PCs for productivity, you’ll need to look for partners or individuals who can provide you with business PCs. These are commonly used in offices and schools and are generally cheaper than gaming PCs. You’ll also need someone who can train you on how to effectively sell these computers. You can find a list of reputable PC OEMs that you can contact regarding partnership opportunities here.
The Parts
When it comes to building PCs, you’ll also need to decide what parts you’re going to use. There are several options to choose from depending on your budget and technical expertise. To begin with, you can use off-the-shelf parts. These are the standard components that come in a box and don’t require any kind of customization. Examples include the motherboard, processor, hard drive and graphics card. You can look for these items in any reputable computer shop and will not have a hard time finding them. The downsides are that you’ll have to choose from what’s offered and there’s a good chance that you’ll end up paying more than you would have if you’d built the PC yourself. The most popular alternative is to use OEMs parts. These are the parts that come already built into a computer which you then customize according to your needs. You’ll find plenty of OEMs that sell motherboard, processor, hard drive and graphics card in a ready-to-assemble PC. You won’t be able to find many cases, monitor or RAM (Remembrance Module) on an OEMs parts list because these items are either built into the computer or easily accessible from outside the box without needing the manufacturer’s parts.
The advantages of using OEMs parts are that they are readily available and usually cheaper than buying the items separately. The downside is that you’ll have to take the time to configure them according to your needs. If you’re looking for a passive income stream, it’s usually best to go with off-the-shelf parts because you can certainly find them and the industry is large and well-established. If you’re in search of a potentially high-profit venture, consider building your own PCs using OEMs parts.
The Software
Even though you don’t need to have any experience in order to build a PC, you most certainly will need software in order to do it. There are several pieces of software that you’ll need to purchase in order to build a functioning PC. Some of these are extremely popular and can be rather costly. Examples include Microsoft Windows, Adobe Photoshop and Apple’s Mac OS X Pro. The good news is that you can find the full versions of these applications as well as others for free from reputable software makers such as Google and Mozilla.
You’ll also need to consider purchasing an anti-virus application and a firewall. Just remember that these items are necessary in order to protect your PC from malware and hackers. You can always find free equivalents from reputable software makers.
Budget
Budget is always a key consideration when pursuing a passive income stream. You can certainly build a PC for $600 or less using parts that you can find on an OEMs parts list. When it comes to Microsoft Windows and Adobe Photoshop, you’ll need to spend a bit more money because these applications are not free. You can build a functional PC with these applications for around $1,000 without too much difficulty. If you’re looking for a passive income stream, go for it! You can certainly make a sizable sum of money selling PCs online.
The UPS
If you’re reading this article on our website, you’ll need to consider purchasing a USB Power Supply Unit (also known as a UPS). These are important because they’ll keep your precious electronics (like your PC) powered up during power outages. Having a UPS saves you from potential data loss and malfunctions. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on a UPS. Many reputable online vendors sell them for less than $100. If you’re in search of a low-cost and reliable way to generate an additional stream of monthly revenue, invest in a UPS.
The Service
You’ll also need to consider purchasing a warranty for your newly constructed PC. It would be best to get at least a one-year parts and labor warranty in case something goes wrong. When it comes to building PCs, you’ll usually need to purchase several types of warranties mainly in case you have an issue with any part during the warranty period. You’ll want to purchase a three-year warranty for the processor, motherboard and hard drive and a one-year warranty for the monitor or case (if applicable).
If you’re in a rural area without proper electrical service, get ready to spend the extra money on generators to keep your electronics powered up during times of extreme weather conditions or prolonged power outages caused by heavy electric use. It would be best to purchase a small generator with an automatic transfer switch (ATS) to ensure that your home receives electricity even if the power goes out completely.
TOTAL COST
The total cost of purchasing the parts and software necessary to build a computer doesn’t include the cost of the machine itself. You’ll need to make sure that you factor this cost into your equation. If you’re selling the finished product, you’ll also need to consider what type of profit margin you’ll need to make in order to turn a reasonable profit. The good news is that you can purchase a complete, pre-assembled PC for less than $1,000. Make sure you factor this cost into your equation when deciding how much you can afford to invest in this type of venture.