any hard facts to support your position? over the holidays i conducted considerable computer shopping and comparison. for the first time in years i decided not to go with dell ( my 5 previous computers were dell). i was most impressed with HPQ and for laptops (believe it or not) e-machines. i settled on a great widescreen e-machines laptop for my college freshman. had to stand in line to get it @ bestbuy. HPQ has a compelling marketing strategy IMHO and dell is lackluster and you just do not get as much for the money.