ACER is an IBM clone, and a good one. My first desktop was an ACER. It and my Gateway, I would consider the best!
I use an Acer laptop. I am very happy with it. I had been using HPs but after having two go bad just after the warranty ran out, I am not touching an HP laptop again for quite some time.
I will have to agree with the Gateway praise. Darn wished they would sell XP like DEll..
in 2006, I simply asked them to replace the keyboard when I bought brand new. I sent it to them, and they gave me a brand new laptop with more memory. A year ago, I met someone from Gateway at E3 here in L.A. and he told me, they used to do that: replace the entire laptop to avoid time-consuming future warranties or less headaches of shipping and complaints.