Actually Dell is about the only one of the major computer manufacturers now that you can custom make a computer from. Since Acer bought Gateway and the others have decided it is faster and cheaper to just sell whatever they cram together, they really use some cheap junk. I looked at the DVD tray that came in a top line Gateway the other day and I swear it is so flimsy that it looks as if the weight of the DVD would break it off. And the drive sounds s if it is grinding, so it is not a very expensive drive. At least at Dell you can still sit down and order what you want. H.P. does offer you a selection of monitors. If I were going to buy a new one, I would seriously look at Dell now as there is no lace around here to get parts to build one. The one place that I know of that will custom build a computer here would be the other place I would consider after looking at the new offerings. And Dell will still load Windows XP, while the others will only load Vista. I have played some with Vista and am not to impressed so far with it.
Joe, why not get one of each MB and bring them home and tell them you will return all except the one that works. May save you a bunch of trips.
Ron
