I bought a store demo eMachine years ago. It was one of the best buys I ever made, but...

That was years ago...

I thought emachine products back in 2000 were great inexpensive computer systems and unlike HP, which also owns Compaq, it doesn't have a keyboard monitor that phones home. That crap should be illegal, but HP keeps hiring lawyers to fight it, claiming it is all about serving the customer.

The problem with eMachines is that Gateway bought them out a few years ago and now I don't read good comments about the product anymore. Sometimes a company does this sort of thing to reduce competition and gain market share, rather than to continue to produce a quality product. For this reason, I would no longer recommend an eMachie computer.

Some "reviews"http://www.my3cents.com/search.cgi?criteria=emachine

Gateway makes very good laptop computers. Very sturdy construction, unlike Dell, which to me it seems like I always know friends with missing keys and crappy screen displays after a couple of years. At least these are the Dells from about three years ago, they may be better now, I'm not sure. My only complaint about Gateway is that although customer service to buy one is great but after the coverage period expires, I'd say you have to find out from others who pay for continued support.

Micron years ago made fantastic systems. I still have two Windows 95 laptops that work perfectly, except the one from overuse has some LCD screen display issues. They are more expensive, though.

I recall reading some stuff about ZD some years ago and it seemed like that company had a decent low-end product. No offense by the term low-end. Frankly, unless you're into games, which I'm not, nobody needs a high-end system or the extra cost of one these days.

Id really recommend you wait at least 6 months before you buy anything. Windows 7 is VERY likely to have patches and all sorts of crap you will have to put up with if you buy one now.

Pete