I'm about to bite the bullet myself. I still have the only coal fired computer on my block.
My choice will be DELL.
On a local NY Radio show called "The problem Solver" I have heard numerous complaints lately that Gateway's once 1st class service is slipping severly.
Dell has always had the reputation for the best service around.
For whatever its worth, Consumer Reports also rates Dell as the computer with the fewest repair problems.
BTW I presently own a Gateway