Desktops forum: Poll: Which desktop computer "brand name" do you prefer?

My 24/7 computer is an IBM tablet which I never leave home without, but as far as desktops go I still need to use one for certain tasks. I don't need a lot of whistles and bells, television shows, games or software I don't use, but I do on occasion need the desktop for some applications. So why pay these giant corporations who are so arrogant that they make you stay on the telephone for 20 minutes and go through menu after menu only to find out that they've put you through to the wrong person for tech assistance, when there's a local guy with a small shop who will put in what I want and only what I want, do repairs and upgrades right there, and charge me way less than the behemoths?
I've had it with supporting people who make more in an hour than I will all week. Any time I can give business to a local shop and help out the local economy rather than give money to one of these megacorporations, it helps everyone.

I have had had Packard Bell, a clone and a Gateway prior to my HP.

The HP is lightyears better. Knock on wood! I have had little to no "issues" since getting it about a year ago. I got it from a third party vendor [Make It Work], that was my only giant mistake! I got screwed BAD! and did not get kissed! I am not computer literate so I hire people to do things to and for my computer. MIW was and has been a nightmare! Avoid them like the plague! MAJOR overpriced and real morons as techies!

I have managed to get the HP almost the way I want it, except my email configuration is not what I would like it to be, but will get it the way I want it soon. All of my email accounts, sans one, is working the the way I want it to work.

Now I am shopping for a laptop, and will go with HP, Dell or Acer I guess. Any great advice would be appreciated.

Shanelle Randisi and Robert Diaz are ASUS employees who dont know the warranty for the Essentio desktop and will not honor it. They told me I was not entitled to a replacement and then they sent 3 beat up refurbished units with the sane disc drive defects for my brand new one that they could not fix. They refuse to give me a new one as the warranty states. I called Consumer Affairs and BBB and Shanelle lied to both of them to avoid honoring my warranty. Randisi refers to a customer who wants what he is entitled to a "pain". She said this in an email and the company actually was forced to apologize. So unprofessional, dishonest, worthless, and ******. Never again

This woman, Shantelle, will not even return my phone calls. I'm looking to start an ASUS Lemon page over on Facebook for people to share their experiences with this company. Be sure to come looking under the page name, ASUS Lemon Page.

before you buy a dell, HP or any other pre-made machine ask yourself this: Who's hard drive is in the machine? Whos video card is in the machine? who's Ram, what is the power supply wattage and whos is in it? Who's motherboard is in the machine, what is the upgradablity of the machine?

If you can find out the answers to all of that and you are happy that the parts are from quality manufacturers and have good ratings (doubtful) then buy the machine from Dell, HP or whoever. If you cant get the answer to that then build your own. Yes it may cost you a few bucks more, and yes there will be no customer support ( Even when you buy it most customer support centers dissapoint anyway) so I guess in that area you are really even you are just paying for it when you need it rather then pre-paying for it. If you build your own or have it built for you, you can tell them exactly what manufacaturer part is to go into your machine. In the long run you will end up with a much better machine in my opinion.

My 2002 HP Pavilion desktop computer has been 100% problem free. It has never required a single repair, and has never had any problem of any kind. I don't know if HP technical support is good/bad, because I have never needed them.

My previous computer was a high-end Dell desktop. It was dead-unrepairable after three years. In addition, I found Dell Consumer Technical Support to be completely clueless. I guess if you want a Dell Technical Support person with a brain, you have to be a Business Customer.

bought the first in 1998 and retired it in 2005 P1 still did ok on net till modem failed. video card failed early on but it was a diamond card. added upgrade. now on a acer 2 yo with zero issues. well satisfied thus far. good performance and reasonable price.

CNet should have included a button for simply "name brand". My own preference might be HP, because that's what I have and it isn't causing me any problems, but actually most any name-brand computer would probably be good.

As a Public and Corporate IT Professional, I have had the privilege of working with and on most everything...

When I break down my experience (with PC's) to basics, it comes back to maintenance & support. If the Computer is designed with the long-term customer support / retention built in, then the brand will build a loyalty base.

There are always exceptions, when people are given a PC or have to purchase the most cost effective at the time, and they have a good experience, they may become loyal to that brand.

I have had the best experience with IBM ThinkPads, and Aptiva's which are now product lines of Lenovo, but the same great minds that built them before are now joined with the great minds of Lenovo, and the synergy that the team has acheived is apparent in the newest product line models. I acquired a new Z61 Model in the last 6 months, and it is the best ever...(it's my 6th). I have either owned or been assigned a ThinkPad computer since they came out with them in the early 90's.

Otherwise, HP is really high on my list as a very close 2nd mostly for the same reasons.

PS I do own a self-built generic server running Win 2008 Server and it is like a child; you never fall out of love with it...

Dell computers, and Sony computers, are the most eco-conscious computers with regard to toxic chemicals (i.e Greenpeace's Electronic report) My Dell Precision M90 Laptop is extremely solid. It contains aluminum, steel, and thick rubber on the bottom. It has been dropped from a backpack onto a sidewalk and the "Strike Zone" technology kicked in, I did not lose any data and when I booted it up, the websites I had been working on as well as the word documents I had been utilizing all popped up. The keyboard is extremely solid. It is not "mushy" like Apple Computer keys. I plan to consider the Dell XPS 13'' notebook-the industrial design is exquisite! as well as Alienware's magnesium alloy cased 17''' laptop(also made by Dell)

For users who have little or no experience with computers, a "brand-name" system is usually the best for them. Since the components are relatively cheap and easily replaced, it's a definte benefit for the novice user or someone who simply doesn't want to worry about their computer.

I, however, want to control what components are installed in my systems and know what to expect from them.

I was Working for Bustbuy recently as a Technician.
I see inside most of the brands, Acer, HP,... Do not recommand non of them. Strongly recoomand custom build. at least you know what you have.

Because I know exactly what's in it and can decifer any probelms that arise quickly. Add, upgrade or delete when I want to.
Besides....I hate washing someone else' car (or laundry). LOL

I am in Australia, I had a 9 yr old computer, a number of upgrades inc 2 hard disks, 7 gig,original, 20 gig and a 320 poetable. It would not handle adsl2. New one, custom built from GR-Tek Comps,Liverpool, Sydney. It has all the bells and whistles which as yet I have not worked all out, did I really need them?. Inc TV. Goes great, flamming fast. Use AVG anti virus etc. Its great but again I will probably never use some of the stuff on it.

There is nothing better than a custom built PC, you build it yourself or hire someone, that way you know exactly what type of components are being used. I learned my lesson, and do not really trust computer manufactures a whole lot any more, as they not only use the cheapest parts they can find, but most of they're tech support is a nightmare. If I had to REALLY buy a desktop I would go with Apple (I have 2, ad they run Vista really well, and tech support is amazing), my second choice would be HP, than Dell (but be sure to buy from the business division, cause the other each support is horrible) and try to stay with the XPS line. I loved the Vaio's, but Sony saw no future in continuing to build desktops, but if I need a laptop, I would only trust Apple and Sony. Out of all of these, Sony has the BEST tech support, waiting times are usually under 4 minutes, they now what they are doing, speak perfect english, and do not treat people like dummies that have never used a PC (unless that's your case). Anyways, conclusion is, custom computer (companies like PowerPC can build one for you), or Apple's Mac Pro or even the mini for those that do not need intense graphics, CPU and RAM; and you'll be very happy.