Is it generally true or false that building a forensic workstation is more expensive than purchasing one?

Building a forensic workstation is generally less expensive than purchasing a pre-built one. When creating a custom workstation, individuals can select components that fit their specific requirements, often opting for competitive pricing on individual parts rather than paying a premium for a fully-assembled machine that comes with additional manufacturer costs. This process allows for potentially better value, especially if one has the technical skills to assemble the components and install the necessary software, which can save on labor costs associated with purchasing a pre-built system.

Moreover, pre-built workstations may include proprietary components or additional features that may not be essential for forensic analysis, leading to inflated prices. Building a system also provides the flexibility to choose high-performance components specific to forensic work, such as increased processing power, specialized storage solutions, and additional RAM, which might not be available at the same performance-to-cost ratio in a pre-built configuration.

The other options imply varying scenarios around cost but do not reflect the general principle that building is typically more economical overall when considering the direct costs and perceived value, particularly when not factoring in niche needs or specific configurations.