>I know the rap on Compaq is the proprietary design and components. But I mostly leave my computers alone and just program on them. I've owned two other Compaq's and the only failure I've experienced is a CD-ROM drive.

My problems with them have been a little worse than that. We've had several machines where we've had to reformat and you can't get drivers. The OEM doesn't support the Compaq tweaks and you're playing hit & miss with the stuff on the Compaq site.

Also, when a machine has a hardware problem it's going to have a bunch. One of my clients bought several last year (without disucussing with me) and has multiple problems with half of them. One has beeen through a HD, mother and RAM without solving the prob.

I love Dells. You might be able to get a Dell refurb for a little more than what you're looking at. They're solid boxes and the support has been excellent. NOTE: I always go with the Dimensions, it's the business class box. We've got Optiplex's here at the office and they're not that great.