I built my own, but desktop units are so cheap now that you cannot match
them by buying the components. My son got a Dell laptop, and I got my
daughter a Dell desktop to take to school, and both have worked flawlessly.

I think service is overrated. If a unit is going to fail, it will fail
almost immediately and they will just replace it rather than repair it.
If it doesn't fail immediately, it will last the typically short
warranty period, so paying a premium for good service is probably a
waste of money. My suggestion is that you find a good way to back up
all your software and data, and when your computer fails (or, more
likely, becomes outdated) just get a new one.


Corinne wrote:
Please don't blast me for asking this question here. I have posted here
before and received excellent advice, so I am back.

I am in the market for a new computer. I am interested in Dell. When
searching the Dell sites, I see lots of complaints about service, etc.

Do any of you use a Dell computer, and can anyone recommend a model
for someone who uses the computer basically for email, newsgroups,
searching the web, playing solitaire, and making greeting cards?

I am totally lost, and as you can see, I am not too computer savvy.
I just know the basics, and my computer man, in this small town,
just retired due to ill health.

Many thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

Corinne