Even I am a HP user but Mac by FAR, got the best graphic designer user friendly there is! My college uses Mac computers for ALL media aspects and we enjoyed twisting and churning the photoshop stuff LOL! That was my first love! But the cost at that time was so expensive and had to go a little cheaper, which it was the HP. AND they ARE user friendly as well.
Gateway, I hated them....when it comes to upgrading or need something fixed, they refused to help you because the computer was owned by someone else. We bought it used and we scrapped the thing. No wonder it went belly up in services and alot of the offices that catered for Gateway went downhill. Nada on customer service and zelpo on computer. They SUCK!
Dell, no experience on them.
The cheaper grades out there, beware!
Bella, I am sure if you can save for one or ask one for Xmas, you can get a laptop!