What brands to avoid in low price range?

Has anyone had an extremely bad experience in the below $1,000.00 range for desktops with brands such as:
eMachines
Compaq
Gateway
Dell
HP

I definitely need the most for the money. Am also considering refurbs from off lease units.

Any particular brand well known for being unusually problematical?

 

i had a couple of friends (that didn't know each other) a few years back had trouble with e-machines. so i tend to stay away from that brand. although this is my personal opinion, and they might have gotten better. i myself have had good luck with hp/compaq, and that's pretty much what i recommend to my friends and family (as most if not all start with a 1 year warranty). although, my main comp (1st decent purchase), is a gateway (when i bought it, it was loaded with windows me), so that pretty much tells it's age. i don't like dells because they are overpriced (or were), and their software bundle sucks (or did - my opinion).

i personally scan the ads every week (bestbuy, circuit city, officedepot, officemax, frys, etc), and pretty much make a :drool list.

it depends on the features that you really what you want. you can get a fairly decent comp, that is upgradeable for about the $5-700 range. you just have to weigh your options. can i get an upgraded sound card cheaper, can i get a tv tuner card cheaper, can i add more ram, install it all, and save some money, etc., etc.

if you break it down and list what features you are really need, then i'm sure you will get alot more responses. anyway, my .02 worth - sos

 

Good advice.
I was wondering about some of the custom built on eBay, but with the low price range (500.00) seems like I only see gaming rigs with no OS.
I think I will stay away from eMachines in the future since this one has driven me crazy. My first "good" comp was a Dell. I only got Dell since they accepted me on the payment plan. For me the Dell was a real solid piece, although over priced.