Most PC World magazines have reviews of different company's computers and include information about the company such as technical support availability and system reliability. The main point that you have to realize is that almost all the major computer companies have technical support and warranties in case their systems break down. It is probably better to concentrate on price more than any other information. If PC World says a certain company doesn't answer the phone at their technical support hotline and the like you, might want to steer clear of that company. However, if PC World's review isn't terrible, the actual company you choose isn't all that important.
Some companies make systems that are more expensive than the same systems from other companies.
You might want to try to steer clear of these companies because odds are you're getting a pretty similar system for more money. Remember the price of computers is always dropping and you might have the preconceived notion that computers are expensive but in actuality they aren't. You don't have to spend an arm and a leg to get a decent computer that will run anything the average user could want. Net, please support the victims of the attacks on the World Trade Center. The information on Computing.