Opinions please, all suggestions welcomed even if not one of the above...

 

Build yer own, or go thru alienware..

www.alienware.com

 

Dude! Your gettin a Dell!... Sorry couldn't resist.
I'd go with Dell. Got a Dimension 4100 right now, no problems in over a year of ownership. Great customer service, decent prices. Downside is they only offer Intel, I'd prefer a AMD but oh well. Gateway is usually $50+ higher on similar machine.
IMHO if you have a little bit of computer knowledge I would say build your own. That way you can put in what you want and how you want it and still come out cheaper. Downside to that is it takes time to gather all the parts and put it together. It does take some skill to build one and it work right. Plus no packaged bundled software and warranties are individual.
You could also go with a pre-built PC from somewhere like Tiger Direct. They offer some really nice PC's at a good price.

 

ive had y share of both. personally, theyve almost identical machines from my experience except for 1 thing, dell is usually a little cheaper. i say go with the cheaper of the 2 because theyre both great systems.

 

I'd say go with the Dell. My family has two dell laptops and a dell desktop and they're great. The main reasons we chose the Dell over the other brands was because they are the highest quality, most reliable, have the absolute best customer support, and they give huge discounts to students (I am in college btw). Good luck in choosing.

 

Dell all the way! Check out their website, they have some good deals and free upgrades.

 

We had a Gateway, and loved it, great Customer Support, computer worked great. Next we got a Dell, it's an OK computer, I have never been as pleased with the Dell as the Gateway. Also I heard a story of a firearms dealer who ordered a Dell Computer for use in his business...computer never arrived, when he contacted Dell, he was told that the order was cancelled...Dell does not want associated with any firearm business. I can't tell you if this is a true story or not...but if Dell is anti-firearm you might want to consider the Gateway.

 

I got a Dimension 8100 14 months ago, and it's a great machine.
It's a 1.7 with a gig of rambus, I know they make em a lot faster now, but a year ago, it was state of the art.

If you can swing it, get the flat panel screen too, it's a lot easier on your eyes if you spend a lot of time in fron of your pc.
Plus, it will free up your desk for a lot of useless clutter, lol

Good luck
Habibi

 

Uhh yeah, alienware - if you like buttsex with a sandpaper condom. Theyre a great build, but a horrible, horrible ripoff

 

I just got the new issue of consumer reports. It shows Dell computers being the most reliable followed by apple, hp, ibm,compaq, gateway, micron, and acer.

The Gateway 500X is rated top performer just in front of the Dell Dimension 4400. The Dell is cheaper and more reliable. both are rated Excellent with gateway being "among the more trouble prone brands".

 

Just bought a Dell 4500, I'll let you know what its like once I get moved in and set it up. The specs are pretty nice on it. I should have popped the extra dough for the DVD player but I quess mom dosnt want me watching videos when I should be doing homework

 

I would build my own. You save money and you know how to fix problems if they arise. Of course if you are looking for good support and good warranty then go with the Dell.

 

i build my own computers.. w00t!

 

Without a doubt, DELL. Laptop or desktop you will be happy.

 

A lot of people saying "build your own" - but if you don't know enough to fix them when something goes wrong this isn't a good solution! Try working with several different hardware/software vendors all pointing their fingers at the others when you have a problem, and you don't know enough to tell the BS from legitimate issues. If, however, you know your ISA from a hole in the ground this isn't a bad suggestion. I haven't bought a PC since 1990 or so - been building them since my purchase of an AMD 386/40. Don't think that you are going to save a whole lot of money - you can, but this isn't a given anymore since manufacturers buy in bulk. What you will get out of it is a system built to your exact specifications, optimized for what you want to do be it a high-end gamer, music production, etc. What you won't get out of it is any one person/company to help you when things go wrong. If you do decide to build your own, just go with a reputable supplier - there are a lot out there, some better than others.

As far as Dell vs. Gateway - I have had good luck with both, but prefer Dell. Costwise, they seem to be a little more agressive in moving their systems (i.e. cheaper). Additionally, I have always had good luck with Dell support - server, laptop and desktop.