I have three Dells at home and all of them have been great computers, but keep in mind when buying the systems the price was well over a grand. Now days I know enough to make my own when the time comes, but back then it was the only option you really had.
I have had no problems with them as a company or with my computers.
My dad has a cheaper dell and its pretty much crap, but it cost him around 500+ and he skimped on a lot of things. I think that’s why a lot of people have a hatred for them, is because they buy a cheap-*ss computer and then expect something great from it.
I think you have to spend some cash and in return you get what you pay for. I guess you could always go the route of building a computer, but then there is a whole other set of issues that go along with that. Warranties, compatibility, support, etc.
I myself would buy another Dell, but my next computer I will probably build myself.