WHITEBOX PCs have niche advantages over branded options.

According to Computer War's manager Damien Law, one of the primary attractions of Whitebox PCs is the flexibility to customise. So, consumers can buy a basic PC first and upgrade it later at a reasonable price.

"They can do that without voiding the warranty of their PC. Whitebox PC components' warranty is handled separately. So, opening up the chassis to add or swap parts will not void the warranty, Law says, adding that with all the regulatory standards in place, there is virtually no compatibility problem between hardware components.

Whitebox PC components normally have a three-year warranty.

Another advantage of Whitebox PCs is price. A basic PC complete with a liquid crystal display and peripherals can cost less than RM1,000. The system can also be configured to meet the buyer's budget.

Other benefits include implementation of new technology. "It is always faster with Whiteboxes. For example, PCs equipped with an Intel Core i7 along with the X58 chipset will be available on the launch day, but it will take a few weeks before it will be offered by branded PCs," Law points out.

Aesthetics-wise, Whitebox PCs' chassis design has changed drastically over the years. "The chassis now comes in different shapes and sizes, built from lightweight aluminium to the toughest steel, from 100- litre full-tower chassis to the tiny three-litre form," Law says.

He adds that offerings for Whitebox PCs can be improved by providing chassis personalisation to consumers.

For Computer War, Whitebox PCs account for over 90 per cent of its overall PC shipments. "We foresee the trend to maintain next year," Law says.