I am periodically asked to help people pick out their next computer.  For about the last 7 or 8 years I have recommended Dell in pretty much every instance (the other times I recommended a Mac).   Both my parent's computers, my kid's computers, my wife's laptop are all Dell's.   I have probably recomended close to 50 people to Dell over the years.   I have made vigourous arguments about why Dell is better than Gateway, IBM and Compaq and why if anyone is asking me for advice they should not consider building a custom computer.

That said, my Dell loyalty has taken a hit as I read the troubles encountered by some guy named Jeff Jarvis.

http://buzzmachine.com/archives/cat_dell.html

Many people are getting interested in this issue and it is raising a substantial amount of focus on how simple customer service decisions by a corporation can have ripple effects all over the place.

http://ricksegal.typepad.com/pmv/2005/07/memo_to_dell_je.html

I know the next time I am asked, the default response of "Buy a Dell" will be replaced with a more guarded response.