5milesbaby,
I look at a Mac as, a car that cannot drive on 80% of the roads. If you are just looking for surfing the net, some casual games, ripping MP3s, and editing Digital Pictures from your camera, a good PC will provide a lot better bang for the buck over a Mac.
The Best Bang for the Buck Components are:
AthlonXP 2500+
nForce2 Motherboard (Integrated GeForce4, USB 2.0, Firewire, Dolby Digital Surround Sound)
512Mb PC-2700 DRR SDRAM
80Gb 7200rpm Hard Drive
48X24X48X16 DVD/CR-RW Optical Drive
17" Flat CRT (or 19") Monitor
Optical Mouse
Logitech Z-560 400W THX Speakers
If you can come close to those components in the computer you buy, it will launch you in to the 21st century without making a huge smoking hole in your wallet.
Take Care,
Capt. Richard J. Gentil, Pres.
Naples Air Center, Inc.
Custom Computers of Naples, Inc.