[MRM]

You're asking two questions - the future of personal computer retailing and who currently makes good PCs and laptops.

As to the first question, IBM has been out of the personal computer manufacturing business since 2005 when it sold its laptop unit to Lenovo. Retail personal computers and laptops are really a commodity product these days with little to differentiate the brands and low margins. The action has moved to tablets and the cloud. The future of personal computers and laptops hasn't been written yet, but it will probably come in the form of tablets linked to the cloud, manufactured Google, Microsoft, and Apple.

As to the second question of who makes a robust laptop with good value for the money, I very much like Lenovo. Remember that there are consumer grade laptops and professional grade. Lenovo (unless you go out of your way to buy a consumer grade machine) sells professional grade machines. Professional machines have better internals and are far more robust. Lenovo used to advertise something like their laptops being able to survive an entire can of pop spilled on the keyboard. The T450s is a real workhorse and should last for years. You can find them at good prices if you search the Lenovo outlet long enough and jump on it fast enough. Don't settle for the T540, T440, or the non-s version of the T450. Get their flagship and be done with it.