Ok desktop expert people.

[SoonerStormchaser]

I'm planning on buying the mizzus a brand new desktop for Christmas, and want the whole package (flat screen monitor, DVD/CD burner, etc.), but I want to spend no more than $500 on it. Am I being realistic? If so, can y'all steer me towards a decent model (she is totally anti-Dell, though)?

TIA.

[Curly Bill]

I have an Emachines that has most of the bells and whistles, minus the flat-screen, that I gave less then $500 for a few years ago, that I've had no problems with. Might be an option...

edit...actually I believe I do in fact have a flat-screen...I'll be darn!

edit 2... It's obvious I'm a computer tard...so just ignore me. :O

[Vaevictis]

I think when you go shopping, you might just want to start by saying you want an LCD monitor.

Flat screen monitor can mean something else entirely.

[SoonerTerry]

I bought my cousin a Compaq HP,
17 in flat panel
3500+ AMD
1 gig ram
250 gig HD
Vista home

foe huna dollas

The extra BS bundle software isn't to bad. She is not nerd like me, so the help software that I would have tossed like bad sushi, is actually pretty good for her.
But in the back of my mind I'm just waitin for it to bomb out so I can load it up with XP pro.

All together a good deal, and I got it at walmart..

and say no th Dell

[Ike]

try tigerdirect. They usually have some good deals on desktops.

[KC//CRIMSON]

This has everything you need and is one of the best deals out there. Only thing is it's a notebook. I've got one that's very similar and it rocks.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0260670