Computer manufacturers produce many brands and configurations and they usually make available upgrade versions of computers within few months or weeks (faster CPU speed, bigger Hard Drive, larger RAM size, etc.) . For most people, a computer with these following basic configuration will work fine for most applications, as the time of this article (November 2008).
CPU: 1.5-2.5 Mhz (working speed)
Hard Drive: 150-300 GB (permanent data storage)
RAM: 1-3 GB (temporary working space)
There are two companies that make CPUs. They are Intel and AMD.
Both types of CPU work fine for average users. So you do not worry about which one to choose.
Affordable PC Price Ranges (As of November 2008):
Desktop PC (monitor included): about $400-550.
Some good refurbished computers (without monitor) are selling under $300.
Laptop PC: about $450-650.
There are lots of laptops in this price range at Best Buy and Fry's Electronics.
We have tested these PCs in these ranges and they work fine.
In our tests, these PCs work well with many typical applications such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.), playing video games, and going online, which are use often by the majority of users.
We tested these basic PCs in these price range with more sophisticated applications that use the IIS (Internet Information Services), which is used to serve web page, and some applications that's use database. We even went further to install multiple Operation Systems (OS) on thes PCs and they also work fine. Most people use only on OS. These sophisticated applications and multiple OS (mostly for programmers and researchers) are work fine using these basic PC configurations.
Almost all computers now (2008) include CD/DVD Drive and wireless-ready connection so that you can make you own CDs or DVDs or connect to the Internet.
Bottom line: You do not have to spend lots of money to get a decent PC for your works or pleasure.