I have had very good service with my HP computers, and found their technical support via the chat option very helpful, and there is no accent problem. Laptops being laptops, I also opted for the extended warranty with accidental damage coverage (which is really what I was after - from my experience the risk is greater from being dropped than part failure).

Custom or home built computers are fine for desktops, but although there are some in the laptop area they cannot compete with the manufactured machines for looks, fit and finish. The tolerances in assembling laptops is extremely small, and if the manufacturer controls all design aspects of the machine we are greeted with the thin, light machines. Custom builds must acquire cases, motherboard, etc and assemble and their tolerances for assembly cannot compete, resulting in slightly thicker, and possible heavier laptops.

Find a computer store that has a variety of machines in stock and look and feel. Keyboard touch is important. Then after you have decided, make your decision. Then order exactly what you want directly from the manufacturer. The Big Box stores will only carry what they think will sell the quickest and it may not have all the features you want.

If I now try to get back into serious mode, I cannot disagree with anything that RastaMon offered. I would more strongly say that it does not not make sense to me to get a Mac just to run Windoze (i.e. if you only wanted Windoze and would not bother with the Mac OS). If you are set on Windoze, then I would stick with a Windoze based manufacturer. If you were going to use the Mac OS most of the time, but needed Windoze on occasion for some particular programs, then that can be a GREAT use for a Mac (that is how my MacBook Pro gets used...I need Windoze for my structural engineering applicaitons, but use the Mac OS for other stuff such as word processing or spreadsheets). And I agree with his thoughts on quality. I have yet to use a laptop that seems to be as well made as my MacBook Pro. And will I like MacBook Pros much better than MacBooks, they also feel rather solid and well made...better than just about any Windoze centric laptop that I have laid hands on. That does not mean that people don't have problems. People experience problems with all different kinds of computer, including Macs. In the end, however, I have a WHOLE lot fewer problems/issues with my Macs than my Windoze PeeCees.

But, it is a change. If you have never used a Mac before, then I would suggest going to a local Apple store (or some other store that had them) and try one out a bit. While not hugely different from Windoze overall (many concepts are the same or very similar), there are some differences that could drive some people nuts.