Chapter 7

In 1996, the reputation of Bin University was still highly regarded in Bin City. Although the concept of 985 universities had not yet been established, Bin University was considered one of the best schools in the hearts of many parents in Bin City, second only to Tsinghua and Peking Universities. Students who could get into Bin University were also regarded as excellent students by their parents. Moreover, Zhang Chen had a good appearance, with clear eyebrows and bright eyes, making him look like a decent person.

"Oh, a top student from Bin University. My name is Ma, and this is my son, Wang Hao." The woman in red made an exaggerated expression and then educated her son, "Look at this young man, he got into Bin University. With your grades, you still want to buy a computer. If I buy you a computer, you'll just stop studying even more!"

Upon hearing this, the boy pouted and glared at Zhang Chen with resentment.

Zhang Chen smiled and said, "Auntie, a computer is not just a gaming machine. Its most important function is for learning, not for playing games. If you want to use it for games, you might as well buy a Little Master for Hao Hao." Upon hearing this, the boy immediately looked at Zhang Chen with gratitude.

Auntie Ma hesitated and said, "My husband and I also want to buy a computer for him to study. They say the future belongs to computers, and it's good for him to get familiar with them early. But some friends say computers can easily make children addicted, and they are also very expensive, so we haven't decided yet."

Zhang Chen immediately responded, "Auntie Ma, you're right, the future belongs to computers. In the future, people who don't know how to use computers will be the illiterate of the new era. Not only should your son learn, but you and Uncle should also get familiar with them. Moreover, from a learning perspective, computers can run many educational software programs, like 'New Concept English' and 'Journey Through America.' There are many such English learning programs on computers." Zhang Chen paused and continued, "And most importantly, using a computer can help learn programming. In the future, people who know how to program will be the most sought after. Hao Hao is so smart; he will learn quickly. This is something that those learning machines can't replace."

Wang Hao, hearing Zhang Chen's words, pulled on his mother's arm and pleaded, "Mom, see, Big Brother Zhang also said so. I just want to use the computer to learn programming, please buy it for me~"

The woman sighed and said to Zhang Chen, "I also want to buy it for him, but computers are too expensive. The configuration he likes costs more than 10,000 yuan. Although we can afford it, it still seems like a waste to spend so much money on a computer."

Zhang Chen thought to himself, it is a waste, in a few years, a PC that is a hundred times better will only cost 3,000 to 4,000 yuan. Although he thought this, Zhang Chen still said, "Auntie Ma, if brand-name computers are too expensive, I suggest you look at compatible computers."

"Compatible computers?" The woman looked puzzled.

"Yes, compatible computers. Hao Hao, have you heard of them?" Zhang Chen turned to the boy and asked.

"I know, I know. Compatible computers are made by buying parts and assembling them yourself," the boy answered eagerly.

"Right, Hao Hao is very knowledgeable," Zhang Chen praised the boy. Then he turned to Auntie Ma and said, "Auntie Ma, actually, compatible computers are the same as brand-name computers like Lenovo and Founder. There is no difference in performance. In fact, because you choose and assemble the parts yourself, the performance can be better and the price can be cheaper."

"Ah? But won't the quality be a problem? What if it breaks?" Auntie Ma asked worriedly.

"No, all computer products now come with a three-year warranty. The one-year warranty you asked about at Lenovo, excluding the keyboard, mouse, and optical drives, is the same for compatible computers. Moreover, if you discuss it with the person who assembles the computer, they can give you more guidance. If you encounter any problems during use, you can consult them. But with brand-name computers, as you saw, their service is indifferent, and they won't give you any guidance after you buy the computer," Zhang Chen explained patiently to Auntie Ma.

"Oh, how much cheaper would a similar configuration be compared to Lenovo?" Auntie Ma was clearly interested.

"Different configurations have different price differences, but for the Lenovo model Hao Hao just looked at, a compatible computer would cost about 9,000 yuan," Zhang Chen smiled.

Auntie Ma was clearly surprised, "Ah!? That much cheaper? Could it be a counterfeit or substandard product?"

Zhang Chen laughed heartily, as if Auntie Ma had asked a very funny question. "Auntie Ma, rest assured. Think about it, brand-name computers also buy parts from various suppliers, assemble them, and put their brand on them. The cost of labor, rent for various branches, utilities, and management fees, which you just saw, are all included in the cost of the computer you buy. But with compatible computers, we buy parts directly from suppliers and assemble them for you, saving all the middleman costs. We only make a little money from the assembly fee. If you need warranty service, we will still provide it because the suppliers also offer warranty services to us, without any additional cost."

Zhang Chen then added, "But I should let you know, our case might not look as pretty as brand-name computers, but our performance is no less, and often better."

Wang Hao looked at his mother with hope and said, "Mom, Big Brother Zhang and I have the same understanding. Li Youwei in our class bought a compatible computer, and it works great. The case is just an outer shell; it doesn't affect performance."

Auntie Ma hesitated and said to Zhang Chen, "Alright, Xiao Zhang, where is your store? Take me there to have a look."

Zhang Chen was secretly delighted and pointed to the nearby electronics market, "It's inside the Qinghe Electronics Market. I'll take you and Hao Hao there."

As they walked, Zhang Chen introduced the market to Auntie Ma, pointing out that the monitors at one stall were Lenovo monitors, and the optical drives at another stall were the same as those used by Lenovo.

When they reached B-132, Zhang Chen introduced Auntie Ma to Liu Ming and handed her the configuration list that Liu Ming had shown him. "Auntie, take a look. The first recommended configuration here is similar to what Hao Hao saw at Lenovo, but the price is only 8,888 yuan."

Auntie Ma took the list and glanced at it, but the rows of component lists made her dizzy. "I don't understand, let Hao Hao look at it." She handed it to Wang Hao.

Wang Hao excitedly took the list and studied it carefully.

A minute or two later, Wang Hao looked up at Auntie Ma and said, "Mom, I looked at it, and the configuration is indeed similar to the Lenovo model. The CPU's clock speed is even a bit higher."

Zhang Chen smiled and said, "Yes, our configuration uses the latest Intel Pentium 100 processor, while Lenovo uses the Pentium 75. The running speed is 30% faster than Lenovo's."

Auntie Ma thought for a moment and asked Zhang Chen, "Xiao Zhang, can it be any cheaper? You see, you're just a stall here. If you cheat me or don't provide after-sales service, I won't have anywhere to find you."

Zhang Chen put on a pained expression, "Auntie, we only make money from the assembly fee. Look, Lenovo is almost 4,000 yuan more expensive, which is nearly 50% of the cost of this computer. There isn't that much profit. And you don't have to worry about not finding me. I just started my first year of university, and I'll be at school for at least three more years. If you don't believe me, you can copy my student ID and come to the school to find me. If I cheat you, the school won't let me off either. Besides, Brother Liu has been in business for almost two years. Although I'm just helping him during the holidays, this is his livelihood, and he can't afford to lose his reputation over a small profit."

Auntie Ma still tried to haggle, "Talk to Boss Liu again, make it a bit cheaper. If we need any consumables in the future, we'll buy them from you."

Zhang Chen pretended to be helpless and said, "Auntie, I'll be honest with you. Selling this computer to you, I only make 50 yuan for the assembly fee. I'll discuss it with Brother Liu and see if we can give you a discount. If not, I'll give you my 50 yuan. I really like Hao Hao and hope more children can get familiar with computers and become the talents of the future."

As he spoke, Zhang Chen pretended to whisper to Liu Ming. Liu Ming, having been in business for several years, understood and pretended to argue with Zhang Chen.

After a while, Zhang Chen replied to Auntie Ma, "Brother Liu said the lowest he can go is 8,800 yuan. I told him about your situation and Hao Hao, and he agreed to give you a free Double Flying Swallow mouse. If that's still not acceptable, I'll waive my 50 yuan, and you can pay Brother Liu 8,750 yuan directly."

Auntie Ma still tried to haggle directly with Liu Ming and managed to get another 50 yuan off. In the end, they settled on 8,700 yuan.

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