So do I.

Wired just posted an article about how computer manufacturing companies are now starting to take into consideration the noise that their machine put out.

Well, for a while now I have been concerned with noticable "hum" that my system puts out.

My home system, which is about 18 months old, is an HP Pavillion system, and the noise didn't seem to bother me until it got to be about 1 year old. I think the noise got to me for a couple of reasons. 1) The computer got moved to the main living room, the same place that we watch movies and television. 2) The fan and it's case inside the computer started rattling and the parts started loosening and at times would get really loud, and then normal, and then loud again.

It began driving me so crazy I was totally willing to just chuck it and buy a new computer. My wife is more reasonable and has since convinced me to just work on replacing the fan for newer quieter parts. Which I am fine with.

One thing somewhat disappointing about the article was is didn't compare current computer systems from the main computer manufactures (Dell, Gateway, HP, etc...).

About 6 months ago I got a new system at work, a Dell Dimension 4300, and when I first turned the system on, I thought it was broken because it didn't make a sound. But the light came on, and then the computer screen lit up with a Dell logo. I was litterally amazed, especially since I was so distraught at home with how noisey my home computer was becoming.

So 6 months later my Dell system is still ultra-quiet. I just got underneath my desk, and with my ear 1 inch from the machine, I could not distinguish noise coming directly from it vesus ambient noice from the room. I had to literally put my ear on the machine casing to hear it humming.

This is why I love my Dell.

I would buy Dell for this reason alone. If the noise factor on my system ever changes I will let you know.