Helping choosing a PC

[djos]

I'm helping my parents choose a new computer... They don't use it currently for anything other than paying bills online, playing games like freecell and tetris, and storing media (pictures and small videos), but that's because the computer is slow and continuously gives them problems. They want to be able to use microsoft office progams and, on occasion, photoshop or corel draw.

They don't want to learn a new operating system, so macs are out of the question... I was looking at the dell studio hybrid and liked the compact size but the reviews I've read don't rated it very high...

Can anyone give me your thoughts on the hybrid or what pc might be best for their needs? Also, will any manufacturer install windows XP or does it HAVE to be Vista?
Thanks!

 

[meb111]

i think it is cheaper to get it with xp but you have to special order it. im not sure with dell though. i know with like ibuypower and others like them you can special order it.

a good cheap computer that wouldnt get used all that often would be one from HP. go to your closest circuit city or best buy and get the cheapest one there. they are very good computers for the everyday user.but if you do it that way you might not be able to get XP but you might ask.

 

[hutton]

what was recommended to me was the E_Machine for about $700. They say its a fairly decent desktop for the money.