My Sony has made me very happy -- even considering the HDD that crapped out after 1.5 yrs (and was replaced -- buy extended warranty service). Even though the same $1800 will buy you a machine 4X as powerful now, my little 1GB wonder is still running anything I want to throw at it. Its 20GB HDD was an issue, but a 40GB external games hard drive for $100 was a nice quick-fix (new models come with 40GB, 60GB, or larger HDDs). Sony has the best initial software package and has great video/audio software, if you're into that. They also have a line that's relatively average-priced.
Before that I had Toshiba -- a solid performer. Good machines. Toshibas, like Sonys are not all expensive. Both brands have the premium models and the models sold on the shelf at electronics stores that are reasonably priced.
I do Pentium only chips after some bad experiences with AMD and Celeron. Make sure you get 256K or more memory on an XP maching (almost ALL models will have this).
Dell Inspirions seem to be good, and fairly priced.
In the end -- get something you can buy at a CompUSA or Best Buy. Their prices are cheapest, next to the catalogue companies. With the catalogues (like PC Connection), I've had some good experiences and bad ones (do NOT buy from Tiger Direct). If you buy from these guys, still geet a brand name, not one of their hodge-podge rebuilds. Why I like CompUSA/Best Buy is there is always some brand that's good and on sale, and you just can't beat 12 mos./no interest (just pay it all off in time, or ALL your stacked up interest falls on your head).
If you have a home monitor to hook it up to, go with a smaller screen size, otherwise insist on 15". Well worth it. Sony has the best screens I've seen.
My Sony (PCG -- which I think is a very similar model to Ziroc's, IIRC) is one of the 7lb. desktop replacements. Since I've added a monitor, speakers, external HDD, etc, I wish I'd simply gotten a slimmer, smaller, trimmer model and had the peripherals I needed. Travelling lighter is always nicer. So, I guess my question is what are you looking for -- portability or desktop replacement?
Answer this, and I'll gladly recommend particular models. As for brand names, I know I will always buy Toshiba or Sony, but if forced I just might buy a Dell.
If you are wealth, if graphic design is a huge issue for you, and/or if lack of compatability with IBM-style PCs is not an issue for you, Mac may be a good choice. For me, I stick with the near-universal standard.
I have enough technical problems without struggling with Mac compatability.
[ 08-06-2003, 10:13 AM: Message edited by: Timber Loftis ]