My father builds my computers from the ground up. It really isn't that hard, and if you know anyone that does it, it would pay to have one built specifically for your needs.
Install the OS you want, and choose the monitor you like (you can spend some of the money saved on buying a box/bundled computer on a nicer, bigger monitor) and you're basically ready to go.
My "home built" computers are not loaded down with "cr@pware" (the little fragments of sample programs they give you that are disabled, or crippled so you only get to sample them, but end up taking up a LOT of resources on your computer, as well as causing possible problems and conflicts), they are very fast, reliable, and easily serviced. I can replace almost any component of my computer easily if need be.
The only thing I've had issues with were power supplies, and those are simple to replace.
I do have one out of box computer (desktop) and it's a Dell. It is retired, though, and it was what I would deem as "adequate."
I am spoiled, though, with custom-built computers and customized components.
My laptop is an IBM Thinkpad, a little over a year old.
Liz
