Why are black components so expensive?

[Qacer]

I'm trying to build an all-black system. However, I am having the toughest time finding a fair and decent seller. It seems that they overcharge for black components. Why? It's unfair! What's so special about them?

Do you know of any stores that sell black components at fair prices? I tried GoogleGear.com. However, their shipping prices kill the deal. Thortek.com looks promising, but for a cheap spray paint job they overcharge by a lot. I'd rather get the "natural looking" display than the glossy look given by spray paint jobs.

thanks..

 

[NFS4]

<< Why are black components so expensive? >>


The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice

 

[tippmann]

I think there is just less demand for black componets???

I have found that mwave to have good prices and shipping doesnt kill you...


Here is the sony (black) cdrom drive listed

http://direct.mwave.com/mwave/ProdSON.hmx?UID=&amp;CID=&amp;updepts=MM-CD&amp;DNAME=%3Cb%3ECD+ROM%2FDVD%3C%2Fb%3E&amp;Back=ProdSON.hmx?

 

[purplecow]

I find the black computers look a lot cooler. It's too bad they're more expensive. I wonder why everyone didn't move to black ones instead of staying at white? Weird. Cool choice on moving to black equipment though!

 

[wyvrn]

Simple supply and demand. The majority of computers are beige, so those components are going to be the cheapest and in greatest supply.

 

[FordLorider]

and how did this get to be a racial issue, kidding

 

[MereMortal]

You could visit directron.com. Under each category is a subcategory for black or silver components. It's easier to find black IDE components than black SCSI ones (they are in a double minority). And almost everything you do find will be OEM/bare.

 

[5mudge]

MereMortal:

That was a cool link - I've never seen a site with color categories for hardware components....

NFS4:

I'm with you there, bro....I'm interracially married....

 

[SPAnDAU]

Unfortunately it's not always the resellers fault. (I'm one so I know) The manufacturers or distributers charge an arm and a leg for black components. Granted we make an extra couple of bucks from a black drive, the markup isn't two or three times the norm.

 

[Viper GTS]

All the people out there buying all aluminum cases need that link, beige components in an aluminum case is FUGLY.

Viper GTS

 

[paruhd0x]

Paint is a good thing.

 

[AMCRambler]

When I built my system I found a cool case at Axiontech.com that was black and had an AMD approved power supply and it's only like 85 bucks. It's called the Axion Explorer. Thats all well in good if it's a case your looking for though, lol.

 

[SUOrangeman]

I think ThorTek offers a few components.

-SUO

 

[Sugadaddy]

Here are a few black components that don't cost more than the beige version:

Antec SX1030b case
NEC FE950+ monitor
Antec keyboard (same one as Alienware but all black)
Toshiba 16X DVD-rom ( I think they also have a black burner)


Speakers are easy to find. The worst seems to be the damn floppy drive. 25$ for a Teac floppy!!! All the rest is reasonable. I'll probably try moving to an all black system later this year, if NEC could just make a 21inch in black...

 

[spanner]

Black components are less effecient for cooling hence less of them are made which results in a shortage. Also it costs money for a company to go out of its way to make some black components, kinda like when you buy something custom built.

 

[ace31216]

Black just looks nicer.

 

[Courtland]

one easy solution is to buy an antex sx1030b case which has a nice cover to shield all your ugly white drives, then you just need to find a black keyboard, mouse, and speakers. sadly though, the best black monitor is an nec, which isnt that good, unless you can afford an extremely expensive ibm or dell trinitron. I for one am doing the same, with the black stuff, I am afraid im going to have to go with a white monitor.

 

[Pikachu]

Don't you guys feel sort of... uh... gay, worrying about how fashionable your PC is? Well, it's certainly Mac-minded if nothing else!

 

[MereMortal]

The only way I'd feel sort of... uh... gay is if I had a name like Pikachu.

 

[Sugadaddy]

LMAO


If it costs the same price, why not make it look better? My speakers, GTXP rack, and game controllers are already black, so I'll just buy a black case, monitor and keyboard (when they need to be replaced) and I'll be set. And black isn't gay, those flower power Imacs are.

 

[Courtland]

black has the &quot;cool&quot; factor, most any other color aside from the common beige, or alluminum, would yeah, be a bit &quot;gay&quot; and I dont mean to offend anybody, there are some things that are neither of those 3 colors that are really nice, but then you get into the pink and purple cases and well, you know...

 

[urameatball]

save yourself some money and grab some black spraypaint.

they art of spraypainting isn't too hard. just have to be a little patient.

 

[Ponyboy25]

Well, let's say you do decide to paint your case. What type of paint would you use? Seems like regular spray paint would not be the best choice.

 

[Pikachu]

Come to think of it, being fuzzy and yellow does make me feel... gay! Hell, I'm gonna cover my case with glue and sprinkle yellow feathers all over it!

BTW, I second that opinion on the spray paint. Use flat black over a clean surface and it should be fine.

 

[Phatty106]

I think Testor (sp?) spray paint would work well. You know, the peeps who make model paint. Since its made for models, which are plastic, it should work out. I know people who painted their Playstation cases with it and were very satisfied...

phatty