I am on my second Notebook computer. I had a GW2K 486-66 desktop which I used for a good long time. In fact it is still operational for some uses, like some Photoshop work on the old version and some database work like a mailing list that I still have to move over to my new computer.

My original thought as the GW started to become out of date was that I would get a notebook, then a new desktop and alternate like that. 3 years ago this month I bought a Dell Inspiron which, to be honest, was a little less than I had hoped. It was a decent computer but plagued with some annoying problems. The letters all wore off the keyboard and the touchpad surface wore off. I had to replace the keyboard and when I did I started having power supply problems where it would just turn off on me. Then it started restarting in the middle of a boot. Resulting in the trashing of the operating system. Now I can't even power it up as I get a MS Windows corruption error.

When I started upgrading from dialup to Broadband the Celeron based Dell computer would not work with our Lynksys router and wirless network. We were unable to install the software on the Windows 98SE system. We thought of upgrading to XP but with the mechanical problems, the fact that the HD was almost full, the CD/DVD drive was wearing out and a Gateway ad for a new Notebook for $1500 I chose to go with a new computer. While it would be nice to have a higher power desktop, especially for my photography, the notebooks practicality is great as I do travel some and need something so I can take it out and show pictures to clients etc. The only problems I have been having, since last March, when I got the Gateway 400xl computer, have been frequent annoying update notices from MS for IE 6 and other MS applications. I just installed 2 security patches, one for IE and the other for Media Player(?) and the next morning when I signed on, only 6 or 8 hours later I might add, there were 6 more files and programs to download and install.

Like I said in another thread before, MS Programs have more security holes than a fine swiss cheese.

I chose the new Gateway mainly because a need for a good quality PC fast. I didn't want to wait to order one and have it shipped. My experience and that of my family with Gateway and Dell are both good. Probably about the same. Dell might have slightly better CS online or on the phone. Gateway isn't bad but when I ordered a backup battery I went to the GW Country Store and they didn't carry it in stock. I took the computer in with me and they wrote down the model number, serial number etc. and sent me the wrong battery. I had some trouble getting in touch with them to get it corrected. I have to say, once I got through, they fixed the problem and shipped me a new battery quickly. The original (Wrong) battery was not in stock and took several weeks to arrive. That might be one of the weaknesses of GW.

The postitive and deciding factor of GW over Dell, for me, though, was the ability to go to the GW store and go home with my computer. They do stock a limited quantity of some basically equipped computers. Usually the ones that are advertiesed in your local paper or other Gateway Country ads. Or you can order what you want.

If Dell was still available in stores, as I seem to recall they were near the beginning, I may have given them more consideration. There was a GW store a couple miles away from me and they were the first place I thought of.

I may be wrong but my experience with buying computers in stores, Ie. Packard Bell (my first PC) and friends experiences with Compaq and a few others is that sometimes those computers are very basic and limited in expandability. The good thing about Dells or Gateways are their expandability. You can buy a GW or Dell and keep it working for you for, maybe twice the lifetime of many storebought machines by upgrading some ram or a HD etc. They usually except more upgrades than some other storebought machines.

I can probably put a few hundred bucks into my Inspiron and get the power supply problem fixed, upgrade to XP and a bigger HD. The Keyboard has been fixed but the CD/DVD is probably toast. Maybe I can find a new DVD drive on eBay. Don't know what I would do there. Maybe would have to use some sort of external drive for it.

My Gateway Desktop is still working well for limited duties. There is no value in any upgrades for it as the MEM is tapped out and really there aren't many if any peripherals available that it is compatable with. It doesn't have USB. While the 486 machine could handle my pictures (3mpxls) from my Coolpix there is no way that it will handle the Nikon D100 (6mpxls) pictures.