This has been discussed before in various guises:
The answers you will get:
a) Dell are cr*p - stay away from them like the plague
b) they use sub-standard parts - much better to build your own
c) go for a MAC (duck, Richard!)
d) get a Sony, Tosh, Acer, IBM etc...
e) Dell are still cr*p
My two pennies worth:
I've must have installed close to 800 Dell PCs over the last two years or so, including the models you mention.
- They're both very good and reliable. I have had fewer than five technical problems during my installs - and only two related directly to the tower - the rest were with peripherals supplied by other manufacturers.
- Their customer care dept could be better that's for sure. Their technical dept is very good, once you get through that is. But I find that happens pretty much thoughout the industry. Try calling PC world with a problem on a Packard Bell for instance.
- In terms of config of the 8300 I'd recommend going for the SATA raid option - it makes a huge difference to performance - it really flies like the wind in comparison to other setups.
- The laptop is very good quality in terms of build/equipement etc. The only gripe I have with the 8300 is that the case is a bit flimsy IMHO.
That's all I can thing off just yet.
hth
amofw