Computer Question

So there's actually a ton of things I want to update about but I'm feeling kind of lazy at the moment. Instead, tech questions.

My laptop has been running really hotly lately. I have a cooling pad, but it can still feel hot. I have this vague plan where I want my next computer to be a desktop but I want to get the desktop before my laptop dies. If I'm going to do that, I should probably buy the new computer soon.

Does anyone have suggestions for good brands? I've decided that Gateways suck ass, and that Dells can suck in the long run because they're hard to upgrade. But other than that I don't know.