My first post; looks like a nice forum.
Dell is great! I've had a bunch of them (all laptops) and only one problem, with a keyboard; and it was easy and cheap to fix because they're so common. You can buy any part you need for a Dell on ebay, no matter how old they are.
Tech support sucks in one sense (no-one seems to speak English when you phone them) but in many other ways Dell tech support is the best: their web site, downloadable updates, user forums, etc.
Good resale value; reliability; great value for your buck; consistently-high marks from reviewers in the major magaines;
I don't know why someone would buy anything else.
and no, I don't own stock in Dell; I don't work for Dell; I don't know anyone at Dell; (in fact, one of my best friends here works for HP, laptop division); I have no axe to grind. Just my personal two cents opinion.
Rick