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It's funny you bring up the suggestion not to do business with those who outsource overseas, and specifically Dell computers. I did a vanity thread yesterday asking for advice and recommendations on a laptop, and a significant number of responses (probably a majority) suggested I buy Dell. However, I do not want to buy Dell because I don't want to talk to the lowest bidder, especially when it is difficult understanding them through their foreign accent, when figuring out my computer problems.

It might be a challenge to get a movement together to confront this trend, but I agree that Americans need to stand up for American workers. Our greatest power as consumers is to support or deny business to companies that can potentially hurt our own economy and unemployment.

However, I do not want to buy Dell because I don't want to talk to the lowest bidder

I'm surprised a company (perhaps there is, I just haven't needed one) hasn't stepped up to offer high quality customer support for personal users at a monthly subscription cost. For $100 a month you get access to their website and live customer support people that know your computer inside and out.

And I'm surprised that the laptop manufacturers don't all band together to form an independent third party to do this for them. Customer support is a money looser for the computer companies -- and since they're duplicating the work its best for them to form a co-op.

But that would take the companies switching their mindset away from dog eat dog competition to one of mutual benefit. I think all it would take is for the non Dell, HP and IBMs of the laptop industry to form a single support organization and you'll instantly get better service.

the problem with laptops is that there aren't too many "build your own" choices as with desktops. i have nothing but home built desktops and older laptops which are out of warranty but upgradable which i do myself