Help buying new computer....

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Ok, I have several ideas on what I want to do here, and any help would be appreciated....

Situation 1: Buy a desktop computer and a portable DVD player. I like the Toshiba 8.9" wide screen portable DVD player, about $389. And as far as a desktop, I would like something powerfull enough that I don't have to worry about what software it can run 3 years from now or more.... I don't play many games on the computer, just on my X-box. My wife is a CPA, so it needs to be able to run all of her tax programs and I would like it to be able to burn DVD's and store music and movies and play them back easily....I want to be able to have a lot of software running on it like anti-virus/spam etc... without it slowing down the computer, especially my internet access. Spend as little as possible and get the best bang for the buck for under $500, the less money the better, but I want it to over perform.

Situation 2: Just buy a Laptop that can do all of the above. Needs to be fairly light, I would prefer a widescreen. Spend $900 or less....best bang for the buck...less money the better...

Their are a lot of deals on computers right now, rebates etc... just not sure which way to go, or even the best way to with for either option.... Dell has what look like super deals, are these decent computers, I have heard some bad things and some good. Gateway? IBM direct? Any and all thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated. I really like to get good deals, and not to have to worry about updating for a long time.....
 
I would like something powerfull enough that I don't have to worry about what software it can run 3 years from now or more....
1. What software is available in three years?
2. What kind of software
3. Not gonna happen

I don't play many games on the computer
Well that kinda saves you but why a pwoerful computer then?

My wife is a CPA, so it needs to be able to run all of her tax programs
Tax programs are nothin. You'll be fine :)

and I would like it to be able to burn DVD's and store music and movies and play them back easily....
BUrning and playing are gonna be easy. Encoding is a whole different ballgame

Spend as little as possible and get the best bang for the buck for under $500, the less money the better, but I want it to over perform.
And here I was setting up for a $2000 system. For $500, as long as you (a) lower the expectations (b) dont run major CPU programs then you'll be plenty fine for now. Three years from now? Forget it.

Situation 2: Just buy a Laptop that can do all of the above. Needs to be fairly light, I would prefer a widescreen. Spend $900 or less....best bang for the buck...less money the better...
Simply not going to happen.

Their are a lot of deals on computers right now, rebates etc... just not sure which way to go, or even the best way to with for either option.... Dell has what look like super deals, are these decent computers, I have heard some bad things and some good. Gateway? IBM direct? Any and all thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated. I really like to get good deals, and not to have to worry about updating for a long time.....
1. If you want a good computer especially for such a minimal budget, dont buy OEM
2. You're asking a lot for $500 ... and thats putting it lightly
 
For the most part I agree with Praetor, but hopefully this will help a bit?
Quote borrowed from another page orig posted by CGR
Came up with this:

Processor - AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Windsor 2.0GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADA3800CUBOX - Retail
Motherboard - ECS NFORCE4M-A (V3.0) Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce4 4X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Memory - Crucial Ballistix 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT6464AA663 - Retail
Graphics card - Foxconn FV-N76TM2D2 GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Case - COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Power Supply - ENERMAX Liberty ELT500AWT ATX12V 500W Power Supply - Retail
Operating System - Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 SP2b w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM

It comes to $698.94 after mail in rebate of $45 BUT without shipping.

Straight up, there isn't much that is still is good after 3 years other then maybe RAM?
As far as your antivirus and whatnot, go with the free stuff. It's works just as good. Here's a linkhttp://www.computerforum.com/70801-ultimate-security.html
If you are willing to spend 900 on a laptop, why not 900 on a desk top and actually get what you want and actually have the ability to upgrade easily...or easier?
Look on NewEgg They have great prices! If you want to have a lot of music on your comp then don't go smaller than 80GB HDD at MINIMUM I just recently bought a 320GB HDD for $95 so you should be able to find something affordable. I'll try to post some more later for you, I gotta get to work for now though. Check the links, hope it helps.
 
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