i myself becasue of knowing people who work for microsoft would only get vista ultimate but this isnt a bad price
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...1&Sku=M17-7412
I would find a 200-250 gig HD, you can always add another later on when money becomes available
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148262
for the ram. after rebate it is a good price for 2 gig
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...4&Sku=C13-2022
those are a few idea's i found so far