 To Buy or Not to Buy...

You goin' computer or hardware/software shopping?

If you really want to spend all your money on a brand new super computer that you don't need, then that's fine with me. However, for those of us who want to buy only what we need or desire, then take a look at the extensive analysis below:

The People Who Only Use a Computer to Check Their Email, Type, and Read Great Blogs (such as this one):

Operating System : Mac OS X or Windows XP
Hard Drive : 40 GB (at least)
System RAM : 256 MB or 512 MB
CPU : Intel; Pentium 4, Sempron, Celeron, AMD; Athlon XP; Mac G4)
Video Card : PCI or AGP 32MB or 64MB, SVGA adapter (most motherboards have video cards integrated in them already)
Monitor : 15 in, although it really depends on how big you like it...
Optical Drive : 48 x CD-ROM drive, although if you want to burn CD's, then get a CD RW)
Printer : a standard inkjet printer
Modem : for connecting to the internet (DSL or Cable)
Sound Card : (should already be integrated in the motherboard)

Phew! If you have some or absolutely no idea of what any of those things mean, don't worry! These are just details that aren't completely necessary for buying a retail computer (unless you're going to build a PC yourself; note that you can't build Macs, unless you work for Apple Inc, know what you're doing, and have access to Apple's arsenal of equipment).
But to simplify things a little, just pay attention to the things highlighted in light blue.
Note that computers in those regular computer stores (such as Best Buy, for instance) will probably not sell you a computer that has 32 MB of RAM and just a regular CD-ROM drive. In this case, try to buy it from an old computer shop (a computer junkie, or a junk shop that sells computer junk). Perhaps you know a friend who can shop and build something for you. Ordering online is a great way to find old parts and computers.

But, How 'Bout The People Who Use Their Computer to Run Intermediate Applications (such as editing pictures), and Maybe Play Games on The Side, But Do Not Require an Advanced Video Card:

Operating System : Mac OS X, Windows XP or Vista
Hard Drive : 80 GB (at least)
System RAM : 256 MB or 512 MB (512 MB or more for gaming and video editing)
CPU : Intel; Pentium 4. AMD; Athlon XP, Athlon 64; Mac G4 or G5)
Video Card : PCI, PCI Express, AGP 64MB or 128MB (128 MB or more for gaming and video editing), NVIDIA or ATI Chipset
Monitor : 15 - 17 in, although it really depends on how big you like it...
Optical Drive : CD burner, you might also want to get a 16x DVD burner (most drives that can burn DVDs can burn CDs too)
Printer : a standard inkjet or laser printer
Modem : for connecting to the internet (DSL or Cable)
Sound Card : a PCI audio card (some sound cards are already be integrated in the motherboard)

And Now For The Typical Super-Fast-Multimedia-Gaming-Top-o'-The-Line Computer:

Operating System : Mac OS X, Windows XP or Vista
Hard Drive : 140 GB (at least)
System RAM : 1 GB (at least)
CPU : (We're talkin' fast here) Intel; Pentium 4. AMD; Athlon 64 or X2; Mac G5)
Video Card : PCI Express, AGP 256MB or 512 MB, NVIDIA or ATI Chipset
Monitor : 17 in & up, although it really depends on how big you like it...
Optical Drive : 16x DVD burner (most drives that can burn DVDs can burn CDs too)
Printer : a standard inkjet or laser printer
Modem : for connecting to the internet (DSL or Cable)
Sound Card : a PCI audio card (some sound cards are already be integrated in the motherboard)

These requirements can be taken loosely and should not be followed strictly; you may be a person who falls between some of these categories. But whatever it be, buy what you need and desire...

Note: For information and advice on computer shopping what some of this computer gibberish means, research or check out some of these relevent entries: Bits and Bytes, The Scoop About Refurbished Hardware, XP vs. Vista, The Scoop About OEM Software, Some Backup Advice, Ways to Speed Up Your PC, So You Want to Add More RAM, The Truth About Monitors.