Aleinware's overpriced.
Dell's are not good. The way their mobo's are have always been a problem in regards to if something big goes wrong, you have a lot to replace. It's been a problem with them for a long time.
That being said, if you just need a PC period, you can get by on it. If you want a high powered PC for video editing, and a lot of the bells and whistles because you do a lot of work like that, you need a custom built on.
Retail can fit an average user, but they are not going to be good for a heavy user for someone who needs to do a lot of different things (games, video editing, etc). You either have to pay through the nose for upgrades, or setting it up specifically for all that.
The main point is you can buy the best components, and do a custom built, probably cheaper than going into a retail outlet, trying to get the same, and paying more for it.
