White box (computer hardware)

In computer hardware, a white box is a personal computer assembled from off-the-shelf parts which can be purchased separately at retail. With standardization of form factors and connectors, a whole range of computer case, motherboard, Central processing unit, hard disk drives, RAM and other parts can be obtained individually at many computer shops and assembled at home with a minimum of tools and technical skill. Alternatively, the shop itself may assemble the components into a complete machine at a modest additional cost.

Similarly, the term white book is a notebook computer assembled from off-the-shelf parts.

=No Operating System=

White box machines do not come with an operating system. The user must bring thier own operating system. they can usually purchase a copy of a mainstream operating system at any electronics retailer or they can download a distribution of an open source operating system such as Linux or BSD from the Internet.

Some people purchase white box systems because they prefer to use their own operating system rather than the mainstream operating systems such as Windows or Mac OS. Others refuse to pay the so-called Windows Tax , a hidden fee that is added to retail systems that have the Windows operating system preloaded on the machine that often increase the price by as much as 25%.

Aside from the cost of Microsoft Windows, other companies add their software to the machine, such as (i.e.: America Online) that most consumers have no use for if they already have an internet service provider.

=No Restrictions Against Modding=

Many major software and hardware companies have restrictions to prevent consumers from modifying electronic devices, or Modding, despite the fact that most of these companies did not build the parts that make up their products. The advantage of modding is that parts manufacturers can sell direct to retailers or consumers.