My honest thoughts are build it yourself vice buying one.  You will be able
to get exactly what you want with out the headaches of "customizing" a brand
name 'puter.  Hell, I'd build it for you if you want.

Outside of that, if you can wait a bit, hold tight until we see how the AMD
buy-out of ATI turns out.  I say this because over the years on-board audio
has improved leaps and bounds.  With this buy-out, I expect to see on-board
video to do the same.  This can say you some money if you build.

For a brand name, I would have to say Dell or Gateway.  They provided the
best over all c/s when ever we needed to deal with a warranty issue.

Just make sure you use it in your Ram!  Had to make sure we talked about
dodge trucks, ya know.

Check ebay. Go to the computer section, enter the processor brand and speed
you want and you'll have quite a selection. Most will offer upgrade, so it's
just like building your own but it'll come to you fully assembled and burned
in.

You can plug any size monitor you want in the back of the Laptop.  You don't
have to use the LCD when your at home or the office.

While we are at it. Has anybody heard of a thing that you plug into your cig
lighter or aux outlet that allows you to plug a couple more items into it.?

Roy

Big, huh?  How's this:

http://home.earthlink.net/~tlawrence5/Dell_XPS.JPG

Yeah - I like Dell  :)

Get an Apple iMac, with 24" screen,it has 2.16 GHz intel core 2 Duo
dale

On 9/25/06 1:19 PM, in article vIqdne3OkcJStoXYnZ2dnUVZ_sCdnZ2d@comcast.com,

If you don't mind ordering from an online source, you can save some coin at
these websites:
http://www.newegg.com/
and/or
http://www.outpost.com/ (Fryes Electronics' online site).
I've purchased stuff from both and haven't been disappointed *yet*.
http://www.cnet.com/ is also a good resource.

Bryan

The clincher for me tho' was Gateway's tech support is still based in the US
while Dell has shipped their "support" to India.

Hell, I can't understand 'em face to face... how can I understand 'em over
the phone?

My .02

Mike

You're obviously suffering from laptop avoidance, bro...

I use a 21" flat panel monitor on my laptop when it's not mobile...

For a desktop model, check out E-machines... If you can use a "standard"
package, they're a LOT of computer for the money..
http://www.emachines.com/products/catalog.html?type=bundles

I've had Gateway for years but the 2 Dell machines that nan bought seem very
nice, but options were expensive...

BTW: Emachine has been pretty aggressive since Gateway bought them..

Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

The problem with many of today's pre-built computers is the lack of service.
Unless you plan on doing some heavy hitting (gaming) with that machine, just
about any of the factory brands will do just fine, even the lower cost ones.
I would check into what service they do provide as some will actually charge
you for premium service.  Personally, I build my own and believe it or not,
it is pretty damn easy.  The advantage of doing it that way is you get to
set the strengths and weaknesses yourself and if you use quality name brand
components that have existed for a few months, it should set up easily and
run without problems.  Also building it yourself and setting up the software
does give you some insight when something doesn't work right as to where to
look and you will probably save money as well.  Just something for you to
think about.

 If you can build one yourself then do so. I'll even build you one if
you'd like. Free of charge. Just buy the parts and pay for shipping.
Buying a name brand is almost as cheap now but if you ever want to
upgrade a component (video card, memory, etc) the name brands sometimes
make it hard to do so. Your needs may change and it's nice to be able to
upgrade a part of the computer trouble free.

Bob