One of the reasons some of the more "techie" type people do not like Compaqs is that they tend to have their own partitioning scheme in which they keep proprietary information in the partition and FAT (File Allocation Table) for stuff like system restore, tech support, and other proprietary uses. When one goes to reformat, it leads to issues with some formatting/partitioning functions making the whole job a lot more complicated. This, BTW, should not be an issue with "normal" end users. As I have never experienced this myself, I am only relaying what I have heard. Gateway, as well, in the past has been very proprietary and has charged more for upgrades, etc, in the past. The last Gateway I owned was a 486, and I hear that they may have changed to a more "open" format, allowing for eaiser upgrades, etc. Most OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) load up new systems with stuff that the majority of serious users can live without software-wise. Many are also using "integrated" motherboards (ie, audio and video build onto the motherboard) thereby limiting your upgradeability. For those of us who like to build our own systems, it is because we can pick and choose the best components for the system ourselves, getting the best our moeny can buy while, 80% of the time, building a similar system for less money. It is all pertinent to your level of experience and usage of the system you intend on purchasing.