I agree with your points but I would say you can bet if I DID buy pre-built, first if the option exists I would get without an OS as I like installing that myself. Also, I would never buy from someplace like DELL or Gateway or anyone who uses custom hardware or drivers. More likely I would buy from NCIX (great for us Canadians) where again I would still personally choose each and every piece from power supply to hard drive to video card. Basically all the benefit of DIY but having it shipped already pre-tested and assembled. So in this way I still get the quality parts but save the time putting it together. No custom drivers or bloatware for me for sure. Still, as I said previously I would really suggest to anyone to build there own at least once, the experience and knowledge gained is very valuable even if it proves to someone they are better off leaving it to somebody else. I DO like to tinker so I am constantly imaging my OS, trying another etc, I just do not feel there is anymore need or benefit for myself assembling the parts anymore.