Red Hackle
Acer's are very good bits of kit for the money, I am on the verge of replacing Mrs FSD's machine and looked over a £500 acer today in Comet though I may end up looking on ebuyer for the replacement as you tend to get more bang for your buck.
Daysleeper
I have to disagree, I use PC's & Macs and for my offspring it would have to be PC. How many offices (other than graphic designers) use Macs in a daily working environment? And also ask the question, how many jobs can one work in that computers are not now a work tool. Not very many. Also Red mentioned that she wanted to play the odd game, if memory serves me well that would be about all she would be able to play. Macs have their place, I am not knocking them, but they have become more of a fashion statement recently.