I Need To Buy A Computer QUICK!!

Like the topic says, I need to buy a computer quickly, as in before Feb. 22.

I have $2200 put toward the purchase of one, but don't know if I should go with a Toshiba P25-S609 or a desktop with similar features. Here's the specs.

I don't know much about computers (almost nothing), but I would like it to have at least;

3GHz or more process speed
512MB RAM
80G or more HDD space
DVD-R/W, CD-R/W
WXP
Windows Media Center
P4 or equivalent
a really good graphics card (don't know any)
a really good sound card (don't know any)

A switchable Win98/WinXP OS (is this even possible? I heard it was.)

does this setup sound like something that will cost $2200?
Also, please list some good stores, chains, whatever that I can buy this at.

And yes, I could just do the research myself, but b/w work and school, my time is REALLY limited, but I'm doing what I can on my own anyway.

please try not to get too tech on me, I'm not very literate when it comes to computers and the jargon.

TIA

EDIT: oh yeah, and I'd like a widescreen flat monitor.

I don't know about the Dual OS thing (you can do it, but I've never heard of it coming from the factory that way) but check out Alienware. $1829.00 for what you're asking. Customizable, too. Don't listen to the people who will tell you to build one yourself.

EDIT: Oh yeah, and buy my avatar, dammit. :)

I built my PC for under $1000, and I haven't had problems running anything yet.

Plus it's pathetically easy with XP.

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Originally Posted by Mzo

I built my PC for under $1000, and I haven't had problems running anything yet.

Plus it's pathetically easy with XP.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by bloodyarts

I don't know much about computers (almost nothing), but I would like it to have at least;

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I hate people that learn to use a computer, but still don't know better about making one of their own. http://www.neomega.net/forum/images/smilies/nonono.gif

Quote:

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A switchable Win98/WinXP OS (is this even possible? I heard it was.)

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Very, very easy. Just install 98 first, then XP.

I've got three OSes on this machine.

OK, didn't see that.

Find someone that does. A friend of a friend or whatever. Buying Alienware is like bending over and taking it in the ass, then paying $2000 extra for it.

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Originally Posted by Tain

Very, very easy. Just install 98 first, then XP.

I've got three OSes on this machine.

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Tain is correct.

I am not sure why you would want to do this, though. XP handles pretty much everything 98 does; DOS games can be tricky, however.

That laptop is going to be rather large. You may not like taking it to school, using it on the plane, taking it to the coffee joint or meetings, etc. Get a 15" or smaller if you're concerned about portability.

Don't bother with Alienware. A similar rig from Dell costs $1528:

P4 3GHz 800Mhz FSB Processor
XP Pro (don't get Home, get Pro)
1 GB DDR 400 MHz RAM
120 GB Serial ATA hard drive (Serial ATA is the new thing, IDE is being phased out)
Floppy Drive
250 MB Zip drive
16x DVD-ROM
8x DVD-RW
Keyboard
Mouse
Wordperfect
MS Money
17" CRT monitor (Dell monitors are usually good)
DVI-VGA adaptor in case you decide you want two monitors
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB (best value for graphics)
Creative Audigy 2 sound card w/IEEE (firewire)
56k Modem
10/100 Intel network card

Im a Do-It-Yourself type of guy personaly, but I would suggest a pre-built as well..

That Dell is a pretty good deal, don't bother with the dual boot, if its REALLY important to you add a second HD. Partitioning and re-formatting for 98 seems like it may be a bit above your skills...

$2200 is alot for a computer, you're basically throwing your money away for a level of performance you likely don't need. After a certain point, prices rise tremendously for tiny gains in power. I'd suggest cutting your budget in half or buying both a desktop and notebook.

Whatever you do, be sure you're not stuck with crappy video. Alot of the namebrand machines are totally bottlenecked in this respect, so pick up a Radeon 9600 card or something similar with any system you buy. Creative has some nice audio cards in their Audigy line, however many motherboards have 6 channel sound already, so you may not need anything greater.

Hope this helps!