Its no wonder that HP is losing money everywhere except ink. Their ink sales actually support their failing computer division!
HP printers can be nice, but they're just about the most expensive to own. Yes the printers are cheap, because they actually lose money selling them - the ink is pricey, and runs out FAST. I have owned an HP, a Canon, and a Lexmark, and the HP cost far more than the other two. I really like the canon ink system (just ink, no new heads, so the alignment doesn't have to be repeated, plus its cheaper), but the printers are pretty pricey (although they're also good, and the ink savings will rapidly cover the extra up front cost). I like my lexmark X83 because its very convenient to have a printer and a good flatbed scanner (allowing on the fly copying at good res and even in color) in one unit.
Dell will generally get you the best prices on computers, they simply have the best business model for making them. (this is most true for desktops. I am now using my third Dell, and am very happy with it.) It is true that Dell tech support makes you run diagnostics, but they are intelligent people, and if you are nice and demonstrate that you know what you're doing, they let you skip steps (at least they have for me on the two occasions I called them). The components they use are pretty good quality (including burners with RAW+96 capability . . .
)
Alienware is best AFAIK for really nice computers. (Dell loses here big time, but if you want a mid-range to good computer, they're your best bet)