I've been in your shoes before.  Believe me it can be very overwhelming.  However, over the years  buying has become easier if you utilize your options.  The one place I would recommend that you do not shop for a computer is your retail computer outlet stores.  Why?  Because they set their sales up to sell you components, offer a multitude of unnecessary software packages and usually try to sell you more than you need.  There are basic research sites on the internet where you can gain basic information and ratings on desktops, laptops, peripherals and software.  Do your homework via research based on how you will be using your computer.  Children's homework, web-surfing, basic internet, email.  Will you be managing your home finances?  Will you be using the computer for your small home business?  Once you've answered some very basic questions on where and how the computer will be used, you've basically determined how "much" computer you will need and what software.  If strictly for home use for just the basics, I would suggest a computer package that you may purchase at many of your discount stores that carry computers.  You receive the monitor, CPU, speakers and necessary installation cords and cables.  These packages usually come with the basic software packages, such as the current windows software, internet software options, CD/DVD burning software, anti-virus software and usually Microsoft Works.  The cost of the basic package is much less than buying from Computer Retail stores.  The cost of a printer is minimal today as opposed to several years ago.  Unless you plan to print pictures from your digital camera often from your printer at home, fax regularly or make copies, you could save yourself a quite a few dollars by investing in a good basic printer.  However, the cost of the 4-1 printers are coming down in price.  Most of those have the capability of printing photos if you purchase the required photo paper and ink for the printer. The difference in price would be between $60.00-90.00 over a practical, fast injet printer, depending on where you shop and the brand of printer you purchase.

Consider a computer with a 17" flatscreen monitor, you can always take on the new flat LCD screen later. A CPU with at least 512 MB of RAM, several USB ports (seems everything is driving off USB ports these days) Ethernet card if you intend to connect to DSL or cable.  Most come with the standard 56K V92 modems. No less than a Pentium 4 processor or AMD 64 Athlon processor.  An 60-80 GB hardrive will give you all the space you need for adding any additional programs and saving work to your computer. You would desire a processing speed equal or greater than 2.80GHz. A decent graphics card. ATI is one of the best in my opinion for your money. Make sure your CPU case has "slots" if you want to upgrade by adding a "floppy drive" for example.  Most do not come with floppy drives now due to the amount of data that can be written to CDs or DVDs.  I purchased a complete computer unit for about $400.00 at a discount store.  It has served it's purpose and continues to do so.  Some of the brand names such as Dell and Gateway offer special offers you'll see on television commercials.  A friend of mine just bought her second computer through Dell at a great price.

Once you've used your new computer and become familiar with all the various uses and advantages to owning one, you can always step up or upgrade your own.  At today's prices and the rate technology is changing it is almost cheaper to buy a new computer with more bells and whistles when the time comes.  I hope this has been of some help to anyone looking to buy their first computer.  I shopped less than a year ago at one of the Computer Retail stores and found it a nightmare.  I knew what I wanted and was not willing to pay far more than necessary to have more than I needed.  A friend that is familiar with computers or computer "saavy" as  the say would be very helpful in answering your questions and helping you determine the best computer unit or components for you.  That friend will usually talk to you in language you will better understand.  Most of the salespersons I've talked with tried to impress me with the high tech language they know and answer your questions in the same language.  Unfortunately,  if this is your first computer, you probably wouldn't have a clue what hyperthreading technology is from DDR SDRAM...at least I didn't. Use the tags below to gain insight from Ebay sights.

Hope this helps in your new purchase.