Thanks for all your replies. I'm looking at taking a Dimension 3000, and adding every option, which makes it about a $925 computer. It'll have a 3.0ghz P4 HT, 1 gig DDR 400mhz SDRAM, 160 gig UltraATA/100 hard drive, and a DVD/RW.
The Alienware, either the Area 51 or the Bot, would have much the same configuration, a few more options maybe. The Alienware is about $200-$250 more expensive after rebates.
I don't play games much at all, but I do usually have a lot of various programs running, because I like to do lots of stuff at once. It seems like Alienware uses better quality parts, but the customer service gets very mixed reviews.
For the extra money, is the Alienware worth it if I'm not playing games and stuff like that?