Wow Fred, we haven't agreed on much for a while...;)
Anyway, to further your comments:
1) For desktop systems, I estimate that (on the average), you can save yourself roughly $300-600 by going direct vs. retail. Not only that, buy you REALLY do get a higher quality machine. Not to mention, better service.
2) For Laptops, this may sound unbelievable, but you can save $1,000-2,500+ by buying direct vs. retail. I'm not kidding here. I'm shopping for a laptop right now. For example, is a Compaq LTE 5300, which (when you buy the optional CD-ROM drive) can cost upwards of $6,000. The SAME exact hardware from Micron or Dell costs a little less than $4,000. Not only that, but the Compaq come with no useful software, while Dell and MUEI bundle Microsoft Office Professional!!!
Fred is also right about Micron having the best overall computers (top quality, + they include some useful software). Dell basically just gives you the hardware and Microsoft Office (now, though, they're running a Norton package promo). Gateway's machines are slightly (nothing much) lesser in terms of hardware, but they bundle a bunch of software with their systems (depending on your needs, you may or may not use it). Use this scale for reference to your needs (consider all of the systems to be apporx. the same price):
<--------More software-------Better quality of the machine, service, and support--->
<--------Gateway------------------------------Micron Electronics-----Dell-------->
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