What Dell brings to the table is their web site. It’s one of the best at providing all the drivers and data you’ll need to maintain a computer over 5 years. But the hardware is no different than anyone else’s. Same Microsoft Op Sys, one of two video card makers, same hard drive manufacturers, etc.
Many of us geeks wouldn’t buy one because of the spyware, the fact that we don’t need the comfort of the big name and we are not the least bit intimidated by having to find our own drivers, etc. 3-4 years ago Dell's support was the best. Now its as bad as, but no worse, than anyone else’s.
Dell was smart enough to see that people buy price over support. Dell gave them price. Every Dell flyer I get has a $400 laptop in it that will barely run out of the box.
However, I have client’s who wouldn’t buy anything but a Dell. Since I don’t make money by selling them away from Dell, I don’t.