So, what should you purchase if you don't have any particular needs based on a computer intensive program? This guide should assist you in setting your priorities based on your budget. To help stretch that budget, you may want to check our Student Discounts section for advice on how to get more computer for your money.

Generally, those without particular computer needs are going to be using a computer primarily for internet access (browsing the World Wide Web and checking email), and general office applications, such as word processing and maybe spread sheets, publishing, or presentation software.  Perhaps you are using it to collect and manipulate photos from a digital camera, or make homemade greeting cards?  If that sounds like you, read on!

There are some good general guidelines for what to purchase to make your computer last as long as possible. As far as the hardware goes, you will want to put in as much system memory as possible. New programs and operating systems keep taxing more and more of today's computers' memory.  If you don't do it now, it will be a good, relatively cheap upgrade a few years down the road.  Look for "double your memory" deals, or just make sure to get a step up from the base amount they offer.  512 MB should be satsifactory.

A large hard drive is another consideration - every program you install and document you save takes up more space on your hard drive.  Especially if you are downloading pictures from your digital camera, you will want to maximize your hard drive size.  Generally, finding deals that will increase your hard drive size for free, or selecting one size larger than the "base" hard drive size, should be perfect.

Consider a CD burner (CD-R/RW) or a DVD Burner (DVD+-R/RW).  This will allow you to backup important documents, or to take a collection of pictures of your kids an easily send them to the grandparents.

I wouldn't worry too much about your processor - all of today's processors should be sufficient for basic tasks.