Recently, my family was faced with a difficult choice. Our Pentium 200 with MMX technology was getting slower and slower every day, unable to run cutting edge software. It was a good machine when my family bought it - 1997 - but somehow, 64MB of Extended Data Output Random Access Memory just doesn't cut it any more. So, being the computer expert, I set out to buy a faster computer.

Cobbled-together computer

The neighborhood Linux Zealot heard of my endeavor, and offered to 'build' me this machine.

• AMD 1600+
• 16x16x32 Compact Disc-ReWritable
• 512 Megabytes of Double Data Rate Sync DRAM
• Asus Motherboard
• GeForce3 Ti 200 with 128MB of D D R Memory
• Sound Blaster Live! Value
• 300 Watt Case
• Dual-Boot with Mandrake Linux 8.1 or Windows XP Professional

I promptly turned him down. In fact, I almost recoiled in disgust. As the Adequacy may know, AMD uses third-world Malaysian sweatshops in order to offer CPUs for ridiculously low prices NVIDIA has been in hot water over their shady accounting practices. Creative's anticompetitive practices have stifled innovation in the sound card marketplace, leading to a card that claims to do 24-bit sound when it really can't. A case that sucks THREE HUNDRED WATTS OF ELECTRICITY? Given the national energy crisis, I would have expected Congress to pass a law limiting all computers to 50 watts

This might have all been ignored had he offered only Windows XP Professional. Instead, this prepubescent teen offered to install both Windows XP AND Linux - and he could offer me no assurance of quality other than "If you have any problems come to me." No warranty, no tech support - if this computer broke down, I was left at the mercy of this snot-nosed Linux zealot. Upon turning this computer on, I was greeted with a GRUB boot menu - that lasted only one second. And Windows XP Professional was in the last position, after a long list of various Linux kernel parameters.

I asked to see the Windows XP CD to see if it was legitimate. Admittedly, the Linux zealot had done some very nice Sharpie artwork of the Microsoft logo being slashed in half, but that did not justify theft.

Dell

Dell, which is America's favorite PC company, builds fast high-quality PCs which leave cobbled-together PCs in the dust. Dell has one of the best support plans in the industry, and their techs are legendary for their computer knowledge. I searched their web site, and I soon found a very nice computer. A 150-watt power supply would ensure efficient energy use. The Intel Celeron CPU was made by properly paid American workers, and the Integrated Intel AGP Graphics would run all of the latest Three-D games. I learned that if the Graphics are integrated, this ensures maximum communication with the motherboard, thus ensuring faster framerates. Same thing with the Integrated Audio. An added bonus was the legally licensed Microsoft Works office suite, combined with the legally licensed Microsoft Windows XP.

Dell, however, has been known to preload its machines with the terrorist LINUX operating system. I could not take any chances; if my computer was preloaded with LINUX, I might as well throw it in the trash. I decided to look elsewhere.

EMachines

A newcomer to the PC scene, eMachines offered the same computer that Dell offered for cheaper. Overjoyed, I promptly placed an order for this machine. I am glad that I made an informed computer-purchasing decision, and that I supported American companies with my money.