Desktop computers have gotten faster and cheaper in recent years, but that doesn't mean your choices have become any easier if you're a first-time buyer. Before shopping, you'll need to ask yourself what kind of computer user are you -- are you hoarding and swapping multimedia files, just surfing the Web, playing the latest and greatest games or expanding your office? We take a look at some of the best deals for several potential users, so you're likely to find a model that fits you -- and your budget -- comfortably.


HP Pavilion a1410n

We like this model because it matches media center capability within a budget most families can realize. While it doesn't ship with a TV tuner, it's easily upgradeable and ready for the Windows Vista operating system (when it comes) -- so when that technology becomes more prevalent, the a1410n won't be obsolete. In the meantime, you've got a multimedia powerhouse desktop with space for all your music and videos for less than 600 bucks. Score.

HP Pavilion a1410n Series Desktop Computer

HP/Compaq Presario SR1800

Another competitively-priced multimedia machine is the SR1800, with generous hard drive space and RAM for housing and playing your music and video, along with a top-of-the-line optical drive that burns both double-layer DVDs with HP's Lightscribe technology to make your own CD and DVD labels. The best part? It comes with a 17-inch monitor and still comes in under $600 (slightly less than the a1410n). A perfect one-stop desktop.


eMachines T3500

A far more budget-conscious choice for a home desktop, the T3500 doesn't boast the same hardware as the multimedia-ready competitors, but for practical usage like word processing and Web surfing, it's hardly what we'd call modest. It's got an ample amount of hard drive space (100MB), can play your movie DVDs and is easily upgradeable if you need more RAM for applications or a graphics card for gaming. Many households would do just fine by this attractively priced model.


Dell XPS 700

Desktops built for gamers boast jaw-dropping components at usually jaw-dropping prices, but the XPS 700 matches high-end specs with an attainable price. It ships with a 20-in widescreen flat panel monitor. This machine runs Windows Media Center for graphics-intensive applications and games, and it runs on Intel's Core duo 2 -- not one, but two premium processors for unparalleled performance. If there's a dedicated gamer in your family, you can't get a better system at a better price.


MPC ClientPro 424 series

Business-oriented desktop computers usually ship with few components at a lower price, so you can easily expand your office without breaking the bank. The Client Pro 424 may have a higher price tag, but it offers you far more flexibility at the cost. It ships with a 17-inch flat panel display and an optical drive that will burn CDs and watch DVD movies. It has an unusual capacity for upgrades: bigger and faster RAM, larger hard drive, a dedicated graphics card and even a TV tuner. If your small business is working with graphics-heavy applications (or you want to slack off in style), the ClientPro 424 is uniquely ready to meet those needs.