Computers can play any number of roles in the home and most families will find that going with a mainstream model from a well known brand is the easiest way out. For $1,000 to $1,500 you will have enough power to quickly run productivity applications, edit vacation videos, manage your MP3 library, and even play a number of popular games. Be sure to get a model with a large hard drive and DVD burner.

Key Components:

• CPU: Pentium 4 or Athlon 64. Get one 2 or 3 notches down from the fastest model.
• RAM: Get at least 512MB of DDR Memory.
• Hard Drive: Look for 120GB to 160GB of disk space.
• Video Card: 128MB budget or midrange graphics card from ATI or NVIDIA.
• Optical Drive: Most come standard with a CD Burner. If it’s not too much more upgrade to the DVD burner.
• Screen: 17-inch LCD. Go larger if there is a deal to trade up.
• Speakers: Most will come with a set. For better sound get a 2.1 or 5.1 set up if possible.
• Networking: A 10/100 Ethernet port will allow you to tie into a broadband modem.
• Operating System: For the hardware described here go with Windows XP. 

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