Where to buy computers

Even the lowest-rated retailers pleased most customers, according to a survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. Results are based on more than 50,000 responses from subscribers who bought new desktops and laptops from January 2008 through June 2009. But return policies vary, including whether the retailers even accept returns. So do restocking fees, usually 15 percent on returns of nondefective computers. In addition, 12 percent of respondents paid more than they expected for a computer, and most said it was because of how they customized the systems they bought.