I have had Gateway since I started working here 12 years ago so I'm on my 4th one now and the only one I had problems with was two computers ago, and everything was replaced under warranty about a month before the 3 year warranty expired.

I've found Gateway tech service to be some of the best around. When I bought my laptop I debated between Gateway and Dell. Gateway eventually won out because I got a better/"bigger" computer and better service for less money.

I don't custom build, but there are certain "options" I wanted that Dell didn't allow unless I bumped up to the next higher system, and that had a lot of stuff I didn't want so I would have ended up paying more for something I didn't really want.

In my opinion, I have almost totally top of the line laptop so it wasn't cheap by any means, but it will last me for quite a few years. I've had it for 1 1/2 years now and it still beats a lot of systems that are being sold today, so it's not outdated by any means.....yet.

I really can't say enough good about Gateway, but I do believe that Dell and Compaq make excellent systems also. The only thing I would recommend is to make sure it's the kind of system that can have pieces removed and added at will so you can update later if you choose. Some of the ones from Circuit City or Best Buy CANNOT be upgraded, or they can, but it's very troublesome - I would not recommend one of those even though they are cheap.....and even though Gateway bought e-machines.