Desktop computers: tech support and reliability can help you decide which model to choose.(Computers, Phones, and Peripherals: Portable and Versatile)(Buyers guide)

The desktop computer has become just another appliance you use every day. Replacement sales--not first-time purchases--now drive the computer market. Fully loaded desktops selling for less than $600 are common, even among established brands. When choosing a model, it's hard to go too far wrong; the performance of today's computers is routinely quite high across brands.

With performance so consistently high among all brands of computers, differences in manufacturers' technical support matter more than ever. Repair rates for computers are higher than for most electronics products we track, according to Consumer Reports' Annual Questionnaire.

Technical support remains a hot-button issue, judging from our latest subscriber survey of computer users. Apple has kept its lead (though it offers telephone support free for only 90 days after purchase), while most other brands continue to show only so-so performance and face some chronic support woes.

Our subscribers still say that PC tech support is dismal. The most serious complaint was that the support people simply couldn't solve problems. Major complaints about phone support included being kept on hold too long, being bounced around among support staff, and communication problems. Support via e-mail or the manufacturer's Web site was also lacking. Livechat online support was problematic, too.

In fact, your best bet might be to pay for independent tech support, as our latest survey discovered.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

There are nine major brands of desktops to choose from. Computers from Acer, Dell, Compaq, eMachines, Gateway (which owns eMachines), HP (which owns Compaq), Lenovo (formerly branded as IBM), and Sony all use Microsoft's Windows operating system. Dell owns the high-end gaming brand Alienware, and HP owns VoodooPC. Apple is the sole maker of Macintosh models. Newer Macs are able to run Windows as well as Apple's own OS X.Many small mail-order and store brands also cater to budget-minded buyers. Price: $300 to $3,000 or more.