if i went for an off the shelf brands yes but your lumbered with their software. recovery systems general junk you may not want or use
my current laptop i bought without an os installed i bought xp used it for a bit then upgraded it to vista its been faultless
these systems can be better value hardware wise more tailored to you desires an can offer greater after sales support if you need it
not saying dell wont but its more personal novatech have a good reputation an are often overlooked
http://www.novatech.co.uk/
ive got my eye on the pro with a p8600
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/range.html?t=nb&c=all&r=X1G
running a very cheap copy of windows 7