Small Business Start Up Financing

[ad_1] The number one question I get asked as a small business start-up coach is: Where do I get start-up cash? I'm always glad when my clients ask me this question. If they are asking this question, it is a sure sign that they are serious about taking financial responsibility for start it. Not All Money Is the Same There are two types of start-up financing: debt and equity. Consider what type is right for you. Debt Financing is the use of borrowed money to finance a business. Any money you borrow is considered debt financing. Sources of debt financing loans are many and varied: banks, savings and loans, credit unions, commercial finance companies, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are the most common. Loans from family and friends are also considered debt financing, even when there is no interest attached. Debt financing loans are relatively small and short in term and are awarded based on your guarantee of repayment from your personal assets and equity. Debt financing is often the financial strategy of choice for the start-up stage of businesses. Equity financing is any form of financing that is based on the equity of your business. In this type of financing, the financial institution provides money in return for a share of your business's profits. This essentially means that you will be selling a portion of your company in order to receive funds. Venture capitalist firms, business angels, and other professional equity funding firms are the standard sources for equity financing. Handled correctly, loans from friends and family could be considered a source of non-professional equity funding. Equity financing involves stock options, and is usually a larger, longer-term investment than debt financing. Because of this, equity financing is more often considered in the growth stage of businesses. 7 Main Sources of Funding for Small Business Start-ups 1. You Investors are more willing to invest in your start-up when they see that you have put your own money on the line. So the first place to look for money when starting up a business is your own pocket. Personal Assets According to the SBA, 57% of entrepreneurs dip into personal or family savings to pay for their company's launch. If you decide to use your own money, don't use it all. This will protect you from eating Ramen noodles for the rest of your life, give you great experience in borrowing money, and build your business credit. A Job There's no reason why you can't get an outside job to fund your start-up. In fact, most people do. This will ensure that there will never be a time when you are without money coming in and will help take most of the stress and risk out of starting up. Credit Cards If you are going to use plastic, shop around for the lowest interest rate available. 2. Friends and Family Money from friends and family is the most common source of non-professional funding for small business start-ups. Here, the biggest advantage is the same as the biggest disadvantage: You know these people. Unspoken needs and attachments to outcome may cause stress that would warrant steering away from this type of funding. 3. Angel Investors An angel investor is someone who invests in a business venture, providing capital for start-up or expansion. Angels are affluent individuals, often entrepreneurs themselves, who make high-risk investments with new companies for the hope of high rates of return on their money. They are often the first investors in a company, adding value through their contacts and expertise. Unlike venture capitalists, angels typically do not pool money in a professionally-managed fund. Rather, angel investors often organize themselves in angel networks or angel groups to share research and pool investment capital. 4. Business Partners There are two kinds of partners to consider for your business: silent and working. A silent partner is someone who contributes capital for a portion of the business, yet is generally not involved in the operation of the business. A working partner is someone who contributes not only capital for a portion of the business but also skills and labor in day-to-day operations. 5. Commercial Loans If you are launching a new business, chances are good that there will be a commercial bank loan somewhere in your future. However, most commercial loans go to small businesses that are already showing a profitable track record. Banks finance 12% of all small business start-ups, according to a recent SBA study. Banks consider financing individuals with a solid credit history, related entrepreneurial experience, and collateral (real estate and equipment). Banks require a formal business plan. They also take into consideration whether you are investing your own money in your start-up before giving you a loan. 6. Seed Funding Firms Seed funding firms, also called incubators, are designed to encourage entrepreneurship and nurture business ideas or new technologies to help them become attractive to venture capitalists. An incubator typically provides physical space and some or all of these services: meeting areas, office space, equipment, secretarial services, accounting services, research libraries, legal services, and technical services. Incubators involve a mix of advice, service and support to help new businesses develop and grow. 7. Venture Capital Funds Venture capital is a type of private equity funding typically provided to new growth businesses by professional, institutionally backed outside investors. Venture capitalist firms are actual companies. However, they invest other people's money and much larger amounts of it (several million dollars) than seed funding firms. This type of equity investment usually is best suited for rapidly growing companies that require a lot of capital or start-up companies with a strong business plan. [ad_2] Source by Susan L Reid https://4awesome.streamstorecloud.com/small-business-start-up-financing/?feed_id=38196&_unique_id=64d125c59b867

WaterRower Review: The Home-Gym Rowing Machine You Need ... - The Wall Street Journal

By .css-1m43ll3font-size:1rem;line-height:1.625rem;letter-spacing:normal;font-weight:normal;font-family:"Escrow Text",serif;font-style:italic;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-transition:all 0.2 ease-in-out;transition:all 0.2 ease-in-out;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:antialiased;white-space:normal;margin:10px 0px;.css-1m43ll3:hover-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;color:#366;Logan Hill When the pandemic hit, and my tiny Manhattan apartment became my home office and gym and therapist’s office and everything else, I watched as my friends started buying giant, high-tech, internet-enabled Pelotons. .css-x3124afont-size:0.875rem;line-height:1.125rem;letter-spacing:0.03em;font-weight:700;font-family:"Retina Wide",sans-serif;text-transform:none;font-style:normal;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:antialiased;white-space:normal;color:#000;@media (max-width: 640px).css-x3124afont-size:0.8125rem;Pelotons. And I won’t lie: I was tempted. I love cycling around the city. I was feeling like I’d better figure out a way to do cardio workouts at home. But I couldn’t imagine parking some sci-fi “Tron” cycle in the middle of my retro living room, amid my old books and vintage furniture. I needed a cardio machine that took up less floor space, and looked less like it had been teleported from the year 2050, to remind me that if I want to live to see that year, I’d better start working out more. So I read every home-exercise guide I could find, then settled on cheap resistance bands, which made me feel clumsy, and mostly stretched my patience. Eventually, I spotted a WaterRower online and immediately fell in love with the low-tech, wooden rowing machine—partly because, in a world of futuristic exercise equipment promising to disrupt exercise as we know it, it is reassuringly old school. I love that it’s basically the exact same device that was invented by a Yale engineer in 1988, and manufactured in Rhode Island from locally sourced wood. More importantly, when I last checked, it’s the only piece of stationary exercise equipment that looks so good in a living room you can buy it from the MoMA store.  $1,160 at Amazon It stores upright, so you need only 22 inches by 20 inches for that. And when upright, the WaterRower cuts a lean, sculptural figure at nearly 7 feet tall: long, simple planks of blonde ash wood, extending up from the bulbous, clear water tank at its base. It looks less like exercise equipment and more like an eccentric prop for a vintage Paul Thomas Anderson movie (though its most famous on-screen appearance was in “House of Cards,” as the Wall Street Journal newsroom reported). When I strap in for a workout, it looks like it belongs on my hardwood floors. Not like I’ve been invaded by Equinox. Another benefit: It’s quiet. As someone who spends his days writing screenplays and watching movies, I often find my biggest problem with actually going to a gym—and with most in-person human activity, honestly—is that I have to stop watching my beautiful, big TV. But unlike so many workouts that demand your full attention, or exercise bikes and air-resistance rowing machines that make tons of noise, the WaterRower is so unobtrusive that I can hear the TV clearly over the whooshing water as I work up a sweat. I never rowed before—I’ve vaguely regarded rowing as the hobby of bad guys in teen movies—but it’s now been a part of my nearly daily routine for two years. And my wife, who doesn’t have to adjust a thing even though she’s a few inches shorter, has joined my crew. (My editor says this is where I have to remind you that you should consult your doctor before starting a new fitness routine so you don’t pull a muscle or even, as The Wall Street Journal newsroom reported, pull a Mr. Big.) I purchased the basic Natural model in ash for $1,199, which felt pricey upfront but, over the two years, has been a bargain compared to a big-city gym membership. People have asked me if the water gets murky; mine has stayed crystal clear, though the company does offer a free “purification tablet” in case. If you love internet-connected classes, WaterRower’s in-house and third-party apps might be for you. But the standard model’s simple, included performance monitor is enough for me. I  bought the optional Bluetooth adapter ($59.95), but I rarely use it—and I don’t like the idea of paying a subscription fee to watch some trainer yell at me on an LED screen. Instead, I track my workouts and monitor my heart rate on my Apple watch. And, mostly, I just use this wooden machine to enjoy a straightforward full-body workout that taxes 80-plus percent of my muscles, like I’m still in 1988: I fold it down, I row until I’m drenched in sweat, and then I stand it back up. And I feel better. Updated Jan 3, 2023 By .css-lr59tdfont-size:1rem;line-height:1.625rem;letter-spacing:normal;font-weight:normal;font-family:"Escrow Text",serif;font-style:italic;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-transition:all 0.2 ease-in-out;transition:all 0.2 ease-in-out;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:antialiased;white-space:normal;margin:0;.css-lr59td:hover-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:#747474;Nick Guy We tested all the top options to bring you the 4 worth buying Updated Aug 14, 2022 By Lisa Lombardi Set up an inspiring workout space with this expert-approved gear, from cardio machines to kettlebells Updated Dec 13, 2022 By David Murphy We asked barbers and barber educators to tell us everything they know about electric shavers—and then tested them to uncover the best shavers for most faces source https://4awesome.streamstorecloud.com/waterrower-review-the-home-gym-rowing-machine-you-need-the-wall-street-journal/?feed_id=38192&_unique_id=64d0012d7bf0b

An Introduction to Home Kitchen Appliances

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In order to make life a whole lot easier, kitchen appliances were invented and developed in order to make food preparation and cooking fast and efficient. Over the last 50 years, a lot of major changes have been made to the most commonly used appliances in the kitchen. Furthermore, labor saving kitchen appliances have been brought about by the introduction of electricity.

Typically, the most familiar equipments that you can find in a kitchen are refrigerators and cabinets for food storage, a sink for dishwashing and cleaning food, and, of course, a stove for cooking.

For centuries, kitchens have been present in each and every household, whether big or small. Servants used to do most of the kitchen work in the past, especially in the homes of affluent families. However, housewives ended up doing most of the culinary tasks in the kitchen after the civil war period since most people don't have servants anymore. And because of this, majority of the kitchen appliance were invented to help in carrying out the job at a lesser time and with greater ease.

Choosing kitchen appliances can be a little overwhelming. There are both large appliances and there are also small ones. So it is necessary to plan your kitchen first before making any purchases so as to avoid going over the top. This will also prevent your kitchen from being cluttered with appliances that you might not even use at all. In that way, you can also avoid wasting money buying things that you don't need.

Another important consideration is the amount of time you are going to use a certain kitchen appliance. If you rarely have guests and you live on your own, buying a double oven cooker is not really a wise decision. It will just sit around the corner of your kitchen. So it would be better to purchase a smaller cooker instead and save a sizable amount of money.

You also have to consider the brand, size and style. You have to assess the available kitchen space and imagine how your kitchen would look like with the presence of your chosen appliances. Try to find something that would fit your kitchen and suit your cooking needs.

Before any kitchen appliances were developed, inventors and manufacturers were aiming to provide convenience. Users can save time and effort with almost all of the kitchen appliances available today. Because of the demands of modern society, households would truly appreciate the help that they can get from modern appliances because time is not a luxury that everyone can afford.

In terms of food safety, kitchen appliances can also fulfill this requirement. The quality and freshness of foods can be preserved with the help of large kitchen appliances like refrigerators and freezers. Also, one can cook at reliably hot and sufficient temperatures with the help of modern day stoves.

The development of kitchen appliances is endless with the acceptance of the public and with creative minds formulating technological advancements. Around the globe, people are always looking forward to new things that will help them have a more hassle-free time in the kitchen.

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Source by Stuart Max

Kitchen Appliances

Kitchen Utensils

Surge Protectors

Food Storage

Cookware

Indoor Grills

Camping Equipment

Kitchen Gadgets

Employee Retention Tax Credit

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A Comprehensive Guide to Get Started With Garden Care

[ad_1] Many people have not yet discovered the joys of garden care. They may not realize the value of plants, flowers, shrubs, trees, and other landscaping elements that give a home its beauty and charm. However, these elements will pay off in time and money. It may sound strange, but the quality of water that a homeowner uses can have a profound effect on the health of his or her plants. The water temperature, too, can be a contributing factor. Hot water can burn plants, which can lead to death. On the other hand, cold water is great for watering plants. The temperature is less than it is in a refrigerator, so plants do not freeze. Agarden pond needs to be maintained in order to provide a habitat for fish and other wildlife. Likewise, the layout of a garden may depend on how it will be used. If it is a wind-swept area, for example, then some designing may be necessary. Another important element in the maintenance of a garden is the use of mulch. This keeps a gardener's plants from getting soggy and prevents them from being affected by frost. It also prevents weeds from growing and can reduce or eliminate a garden's need for fertilizers. Garden mulch is available in a variety of types and textures. It comes in strips, stones, gravel, pebbles, and even seeds. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The type of mulch, a gardener chooses depends on the type of soil he or she has, as well as on the kinds of plants that will grow there. For instance, if the soil is sandy or rocky, a smooth rock would be more appropriate than gravel. If it is not, a smoother type of mulch would be preferable. Like all garden care, garden mulch maintenance is simple and inexpensive. Not only does the material itself need little upkeep, but mulch is also reusable. People who collect the mulch often put it in their flower beds and in their front yard. Because plants and flowers require such a good deal of water, gardeners must be mindful of their water use when deciding what kind of mulch to use. Leaf mulch, for example, is suitable for use with perennials and other plants that do not require constant water. It can help to save space in flowerbeds and other areas where plants are grown. Solid mulch is especially useful for people who have lawns and gardens with large areas of water that need more than sprinkler head time to dry out. This type of mulch works well for homeowners who have lawns and a variety of plants in the garden. The continuous spray of water keeps the area drier for longer periods. [ad_2] Source by Dan Licamara https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/a-comprehensive-guide-to-get-started-with-garden-care/?feed_id=38165&_unique_id=64ceb22e65913

Don’t call it a refresh: The 6 most adventurous laptop designs of 2022 - Ars Technica

Front page layout Site theme Scharon Harding - Dec 29, 2022 12:30 pm UTC In a world of shiny clamshells and showy convertibles, laptop releases can feel repetitive. Some of the most successful, well-known designs don't always see massive overhauls from one year to the next. Stick in the latest CPUs or GPUs, maybe claim a slightly cooler build, and call it a day (or year). After all, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? The problem with that is, well, it gets boring. And for technology enthusiasts interested in developments that could change how we work, play, repair, and upgrade, it's imperative that PC makers be willing to take risks. The laptops below all tried something more adventurous than a components upgrade in 2022. We'll break down the groundbreaking designs, ideas, and capabilities these systems seek to deliver—and whether or not the risks they took paid off. Premium laptop shoppers are increasingly seeking screens with taller aspect ratios. But Lenovo took things in the opposite direction with its ThinkBook Plus Gen 3, a clamshell with a 17.3-inch, 21:10 primary display. Going even further, Lenovo didn't let the extra-long deck that the display creates—16.3 inches long—go to waste. Instead, Lenovo popped a secondary, 800×1280 LCD next to the keyboard to create a laptop it claims is uniquely designed for multitasking. We haven't seen an ultrawide laptop since 2017's Acer Predator 21 X curved-screen gaming PC. Acer's laptop focused on boosting immersion for gamers by making games appear to wrap around them more than a flat-screen laptop. The 2022 ThinkBook, however, targets its stretched screen at workers obsessed with multitasking. The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3's smaller screen lets users do things like show thumbnails while working in Photoshop, use a calculator, and take notes. It's reminiscent of the ScreenPads that Asus has been using for a while in its touchpads and north of some laptops' keyboards but less advanced. The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is a fascinating exploration of the clamshell design that brought variety to laptop selection in 2022. Lenovo didn't expect everyone to want this laptop or to ignite a wave of ultrawide laptops usurping 16:9 and 16:10 rivals. Since Gen 1, Lenovo's ThinkBook Plus laptops have been about offering PCs with features that push the envelope and provide over-the-top features that most could live without. But for the right user, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 presents a favorable way to work and organize multiple windows. It also challenges other companies to create designs that aren't just striking but aim for distinct value. We'd like to see Lenovo play with the ultrawide PC's ergonomics. Since it's so long, it can be hard to balance on a lap. We haven't tried the machine but worry about our right hand accidentally brushing against the deck's screen when typing or using the touchpad. The ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 isn't a lefty-friendly design either. But Lenovo has revived the idea of ultrawide laptops while bringing a new multiscreen option to users, presenting greater choice when it comes to balancing tasks. Join the Ars Orbital Transmission mailing list to get weekly updates delivered to your inbox. CNMN Collection WIRED Media Group © 2023 Condé Nast. All rights reserved. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 1/1/20) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated 1/1/20) and Ars Technica Addendum (effective 8/21/2018). Ars may earn compensation on sales from links on this site. Read our affiliate link policy. Your California Privacy Rights | Do Not Sell My Personal Information The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Ad Choices source https://4awesome.streamstorecloud.com/dont-call-it-a-refresh-the-6-most-adventurous-laptop-designs-of-2022-ars-technica/?feed_id=38158&_unique_id=64ceab12232af

The Popularity of Podcasting

[ad_1] What is Podcasting? The process of using the internet to make public broadcasting recordings accessible on a computer or mobile device for download is known as Podcasting A podcast is a serialized set of digital audio clips with spoken terms that a user can access on a work device for easy listening. An easy and efficient way for many podcast outlets to manage personal consumption database and playback is supported by streaming apps and podcasting networks. The podcast medium has become popular 15 years after Apple first offered 3,000+ songs on iTunes. Millions of Americans are reportedly subscribing to podcasts every week, up from 19 million in 2013. The range of possibilities podcast listeners have today is one reason for the rise. With over 54 million podcast episodes widely accessible worldwide, there are now over 1,000,000 successful podcasts. Due to the low-cost of entry, a record 192,000 new podcasts were released in the first ten months of 2020. A variety of major media firms have recently entered the industry in recognition of the success of podcasting. Joe Rogan just signed a huge, mult-million dollar deal all because of his podcast! The Growth of Podcasting in the Last Five Years For the past five years, I have attended the Podcast Movement Conference, the biggest annual podcasting event, and have seen the conference expand along with the industry, reaching 5,000 participants in 2020. With the shutdown and virtual podcasting events being held, I believe the podcast industry is going to grow exponentially this year! Podcasts are simply a compilation of audio files being made available digitally for other people to listen to at their convenience. Most podcasts are set up like a TV or radio program, with numerous "seasons" and episodes with special guests concentrating on various topics. Listeners can subscribe to particular podcasts, download and listen to new episodes whenever it is convenient for them. While podcasts have been in use for almost 20 years, think back to 2004 when the iPod minis of Apple were all the fashion, and the iTunes Music Store had just gone global. There has been a rise in listening in the last few years that has gained a lot of attention from business owners, celebrities, advertisers, and customers alike. Why People Are Listening to Podcast More Than Eve Before Let's take a closer look at six reasons why people listening to podcasts continues to increase: 1. It doesn't take much to get started. One of the things that makes podcasts so compelling for companies, especially companies with smaller or limited budgets, is the affordability to get started. These companies do not require a large investment for their podcast. For the individual, the same thing applies. You can probably use equipment you already have (computer, computer camera and microphone) to get started! For your first few episodes, something as easy as recording on a smartphone or tablet would work just fine. You do not need to type down anything you want to say, because podcasts are also very conversational. To help you remain on track, you can create an outline ahead of time, but much of the discussion will be nicely unscripted. This is especially true if you have a co-host or are conducting interviews. 2. Podcasts are also perfect for storytelling As a small business owner, your stories are what will help you to attract people to listen to your podcast and get them involved in your business. Your podcast can encourage them to choose your company over the competition. Hopefully, you're always searching for ways to share amazing stories, generate interest, send people to your website, or forum, engage on social media, and sign up to receive newsletters and email notifications about your business or services. Podcasts allow you to leverage more communication power as an audio-based medium than written words alone. Instead of reading the words and understanding them (or misinterpreting them) on their own, your listeners will be hearing your stories straight from the source. You tone of voice, your excitement, your seriousness - all of it - comes through the audio they hear! 3. Podcast are extremely convenient to absorb. Podcasts offer listeners the gift of multitasking rather than blog posts or videos, which demand someone's full attention. This is why, through their smartphones, laptops, or other mobile devices, most people who listen to podcasts listeners will do so while doing other things. As they are getting ready for work in the morning, on their commute to work, or preparing dinner, they are able to listen to podcasts. Video, on the other hand, requires people to concentrate on the video and not on other things. This is one of the major advantages of podcasting! Podcast listeners can easily integrate listening time into their everyday schedules, which is why statistics reveal six or more podcasts a week are consumed by one in five weekly podcast users. The Future of Podcast Is Looking Bright I am excited to see where podcasting will go next. Personally, as a podcaster, I really am encouraged by what I'm seeing right now. As Apple continues to invest heavily in podcasting, I think there will be many more big names in entering the podcasting sphere of influence. Despite the big names entering this market, you and I also have an equal opportunity to create our own programming and see it grow into something huge as well. [ad_2] Source by Robert Thibodeau https://4awesome.streamstorecloud.com/the-popularity-of-podcasting/?feed_id=38141&_unique_id=64cd91b70817d

I bought a prebuilt gaming PC instead of building. Here’s why you should too - Digital Trends

Like many PC gamers, I’ve been waiting a long time to build my next gaming PC. Prices have been ridiculous over the past couple of years, and despite the improvements in the back half of this year, it’s still expensive to build a top-of-the-line gaming PC. So,during Black Friday week, I conceded my intent to build my next gaming PC and bought a prebuilt gaming rig from Best Buy. Now, before you start writing that hate tweet, I have to say that there’s a reason for this heresy — namely, cost. And I can say with confidence now that this prebuilt system ended up being one of the best tech purchases I’ve made this year. Having built a couple of PCs in my lifetime, I can acknowledge the joy that comes from completing your own build — the new parts smell, the scrapes, the head-scratching, the cursing — and the pride of saving extra cash for your next graphic card … I mean, kid’s college fund. It wasn’t until very recently when it made more sense (especially if you had the desire and/or technical acumen) to buy your own parts and spend a couple of hours assembling them into your dream machine. One thing’s for sure, the PC DIY landscape has changed in the last two years. While it is better nowadays, prices and supply continue to fluctuate, particularly GPUs or almost anything silicon. All this brings me to the weeks leading up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. My Asus ROG laptop (Intel i7-7700HQ, GeForce GTX 1070, 32GB RAM), which I use for all the heavy lifting for my YouTube channel, still runs flawlessly. But at almost five years old, is starting to feel sluggish, especially with Premiere Pro renders, storage transfer speeds, and the lack of speedier ports. My first choice obviously was to source the parts — even if it meant buying separately from major parts retailers. In terms of budget, the target would be under $900. As for specs, the build would be somewhere in the midrange with enough power for video editing and rendering, high framers-per-second 1080p and 2K gaming, and plenty of space for expansion. For reference, I kept my eyes on similar prebuilt holiday specials from iBuyPower, HP, and such (nothing fancy like an Origin or Alienware system). Ultimately, no matter how I tried to make it work, the total price of individual parts with tax couldn’t undercut many of the prebuilts. I was looking at a $200 to $275 difference across the board, easily breaching my budget. Ready-made machines started to look increasingly enticing based on the savings and a much shorter wait time to get up and running. I ended up biting the bullet on a great Best Buy deal for a CyberPowerPC unit. I mean, I could always return it, right? One stigma that comes with getting a prebuilt machine is that consumers have no control over what kind of parts their particular machine will have. Sure, there’s the advertised CPU, GPU, and perfunctory listing of RAM, storage, etc., but as to what brand or iteration — it’s in the hands of the factory and what batch of parts they had at the time of building your PC. Some consumers don’t necessarily want that kind of gamble. Me? I like to live on the edge sometimes, plus I was quite curious to see whether my setup would be dope or nope. Outwardly, the CyberPowerPC PC that I purchased was decidedly midrange for a gaming setup — the ad listed the venerable AMD Ryzen 5 5600X with 16GB RAM, an RTX 3060, 600W PSU, plus 1TB NVMe and 500GB storage. The tower case with tempered glass was attractive and at least wasn’t drowning in RGB lighting. The first thing I did upon receiving the machine was to check for transit damage (none) and loose or disconnected connectors (none). I removed the back panel to inspect the cable routing and came away impressed — things were neat and tidy back there. CyberPowerPC even had an expanding foam pack to keep the GPU and surrounding bits from jostling around. Between my visual inspection and checking the BIOS, I was also pleasantly surprised that I didn’t necessarily receive cheap, lowest-bidder type of components either. The motherboard is a Asus Prime B550+ supported by a Thermaltake 80+ Gold 600W PSU. The 3060 graphics card is an Asus Phoenix Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 V2 (essentially a half-sized regular 3060 with the same power). Memory was the olde, but still very solid XPG DDR4 3200 Hz RAM, paired with Corsair-branded storage. There’s no special AIO cooling, but the Cooling Master fans are quiet, rising to a decent 67 decibels (measured in the case) at full tilt. It’s been two weeks since I powered this PC up, and so far, I’m still impressed. The machine hasn’t given me cause to return it, either for any problems or buyer’s remorse. Video editing is much smoother now, while I’m enjoying playing 1440p AAAs without performance or thermal concerns. Each time I glance through the glass panel into the innards of the machine, I can’t believe that $850 bought me this level of quality and attention to detail from a company I never gave a second thought to before. All in all, not bad for a first experience, then. If this is, for the most part, how CyberPowerPC builds its computers, I wouldn’t hesitate buying one again. So, the moral of the story is: while DIY-ing is still the way to go, if you must stick with a budget, prebuilt rigs are currently the cheaper and more readily available option. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks. source https://4awesome.streamstorecloud.com/i-bought-a-prebuilt-gaming-pc-instead-of-building-heres-why-you-should-too-digital-trends/?feed_id=38135&_unique_id=64cd525a635f8