Gibson or Fender, Which do you prefer?  

I love the Gibson and generally the Gibson Les Paul.

The Gibson Les Paul is one of the most recognized solid-body electric guitar designs. Developed in the early 1950s, the guitar has become one of the most enduring and popular musical instrument models in the world. Its design has been left virtually untouched for nearly 50 years.
The Les Paul guitar line was originally conceived to include two models: the regular model (nicknamed the "Goldtop"), and the Custom model, which offered upgraded hardware and a more formal black finish. However, advancements in pickup, body, and hardware designs allowed the Les Paul Gibson to become a long-term series of electric solid-body guitars that targeted every price-point and market level except for the complete novice guitarist. This beginner guitar market was filled by the Melody Maker model, and although the inexpensive Melody Maker did not bear the Les Paul name, its body consistently followed the design of true Les Pauls throughout each era.

Beyond shaping and body design, there are a number of characteristics that distinguish the Gibson Les Paul line from other electrics. For example, in a fashion similar to Gibson's hollow-body instruments, the strings of Les Paul guitars are always mounted on the top of the guitar body, rather than through the guitar body, as seen in competitor Fender's designs. In addition, the Les Paul models offered a variety of finishes and decorative levels, a diversity of hardware options, and an innovative array of electric pick-up options, some of which significantly impacted the sound of electric music. For instance, in 1957, Gibson introduced the "humbucking pickup" which revolutionized the sound of the electric guitar, and eliminated the 60-cycle noise (hum) which had previously plagued amplified guitars.

I'm more like heavy metal kinda player myself, so I prefer Gibson, but as I'm crazy about guitars I want 'em both for sure. I have one Stratocaster copy, which is just great for bluesy music, so I think I'll definitely buy real Fender in some point.

For me, it's Gibson. I swear by the gibson Les Paul.