QOTD: How Important is Good Tech Support?
What's tech support worth to you?

Yesterday we saw Laptop Magazine's test of the tech support offered by various computer manufacturers.
Apple scored top marks with its North American-based tech support workers, well put-together website and availability of the Genius Bar. Lenovo, Sony and Toshiba also did well with knowledgeable phone support.
The worst of the bunch were Acer, Dell and HP, which were plagued with long hold times and/or tech help that wasn't very helpful at all.
The interesting thing to notice is that Acer, Dell and HP are the top computer sellers, leading us to believe that quality tech support may not be exactly correlated with the top selling computers.
Perhaps the reason is because the likes of Acer, Dell and HP sell so many machines that its tech support can't keep up, or there's something else to it. We're curious, and we want to hear from you.
So our question of the day is: how important is tech support to you when you are making computer buying decisions?
Have you already called a plumber and asked him to tell you step-by-step what to do to change your pipes? and for free?
Anybody doing that is dumb, period.
So the old saying is true, what you pay is what you get and obviously if it's free then it is not the best support you'll get.
Also Apple, Toshiba, Sony and Lenovo computers costs a bit more than HP, Dell and Acer so that extra money goes towards the support you receive.
It's only up to how good the performance and features diversity of that product.
But then again....I also do not buy boxed computers, which keeps me from buying laptops/notebooks as well, I just don't like Pre-Built systems.
My wife and I have 3 Dell's. We have never called their tech support but I've been on their website and downloaded driver updates. I build my own desktops which means one computer may have components from up to 10 different companies. I've never called any of them but I've been on their websites looking for things.
I know the problem and I understand why is that, but what I don't understand is why big companies don't build support system to recognize users who know more then most of low payed technicians they have employed. I had really had to grow thick skin. Usually when I call with problem it requires someone from 3-rd level to respond. How difficult is to mark my account that I am advance user and I don't call because I am looking for the 'any key' on my keyboard.
So for me if I'm going to purchase anything (laptop) it better damn well have good tech support. ( cause I want to know what I dont already know)