A clone computer is a computer that is not made by a tier one manufacturer i.e. Apple Computer, IBM, and Dell. The clone computers have parts that have been manufactured by different companies. So, you could have the case made by one company, the motherboard by one company, the hard drive from someone else.
You will get lower prices when buying these, because you can shop and get your own best deal, for each specific part. Some enthusiasts actually do buy their own parts and put all together, and you can actually make a good high end computer that way, if you know what parts you are getting and if you do get higher end parts.
But, the problem with clone computers can come with support, because the components are coming from different places. You do not have one place where you can call when you have an issue. Another problem is warranties.
If you have a clone machine because the parts are coming from different sources the warranties will not apply to every single part; whereas, if you buy a new computer, you will usually get at least a one year warranty on it and better customer support.
Some people might think that brand name of PC is important consideration to choose any computer. But, how important is brand name when it comes to buying computer hardware? Actually brand name can typically be pretty important. Some people do not think so.
There are a lot of clones out there. Not with Apple, because Apple does make the hardware and the software, so its a unified system and you have fewer problems with compatibility, whereas with clones you have parts that have been made by different manufacturers.
And when you have an issue, one manufacturer says, Oh, its not my problem, its the other persons device that is causing the problem. And also the reputation comes into play, like Hewlett Packard, Sony, Apple, Dell those are all tier 1 large manufacturers.
They give you good warranties, they have good customer service. Buying a generic system; if something goes wrong with it, sometimes the hassles that go along with that outweigh any type of financial savings that you may have made.
Generally the first thing you should do really is ask yourself what you intend to use the computer for. If it is going to be for surfing the internet, e mails or word processing you would not need that powerful a computer, I would not oversell you with something you do not need.