i have an 18" poulan pro and a 14" stihl. both are good saws. the poulan is needing a new chain before this fall though as i loaned it to a buddy and it came back missing several teeth, old barbed wire grown into a tree
i was given the stihl by my dad awhile back. the poulan pro i picked up at an auction for $75.
to echo above, i dont think the average homeowner needing a saw will be able to tell the difference in brands. i prefer some over others more along the lines of replacement parts and such. the cheaper imports are still usable but more disposable.