Hmm, well, I consider "consumerism" to be more like buying things you don't need, which require a ton of resources, at massive scale.

To me, what you and I are discussing (buying a custom-built computer at small scale) is more like the artisan culture of Japan, where they are very efficient, and appreciate fine things that last a long time.

Anyways, I think you and I are probably more similar in our beliefs about the waste of consumerism than you might think.

Edit: Also, art is certainly somewhat wasteful (who needs a crystal flute!?), but at small scale I think art is necessary to help make the world a place where humans aren't just big ants, working constantly for an unattainable goal.