Compaq, small teams assemble a single PC from start to finish. Now three can do the job. Companies cut the number of hands needed by simplifying case design and integrating components, particularly on lower-end machines. With case design, the fewer the screws, the easier it is to pop a case on and off. The new designs speed up assembly while also making it easier for owners to upgrade their PCs.
Integrated components help, too.
That's because there's less of a chance that a worker could insert a component incorrectly. Also, integrated components tend to include technology that's been around for a while, with most of the incompatibilities and kinks worked out.