Choices are good
I think you bring up some good points, but I think you need to chill a little too. The rapid advances in technology is a good thing, and the phenomenon of your HW going obsolete the day you buy it is not new. Those of us who got into audiophile quality stereo equipment in the 70's - when "high fidelity" went through the same rapid advances of the "cutting edge". I personally like Tom's Hardware - their reviews are worth reading. While their prices may be off, note that pricing is as fluid in the computer world, as it is with gas prices. I think it is fair to say the prices they published were probably correct for the day the article was written - not the day you read it.
I would much rather have too many choices, then too little. And sites like Tom's are very beneficial in choosing what I want. If you just want a PC without having to make many decisions, call Dell.
I approach it a different way. I go to my favorite retail site - NewEgg, ZipZoomFly, MWave, or whatever, and find their offerings in my budget range. Enter the make and model of one that interest me, and the word "review" in Google - and see what others say about that item.
