Windows XP
Professional -
$75 Windows XP Home -
$60
Windows remains the de-facto standard for home computing. You may call the Home Edition the ideal choice, but given the meager $15 difference between Home and Pro, feel free to indulge (we just prefer to recommend Pro). There is also Windows XP x64 (64-bit edition), which I would strongly urge our readers to keep a safe distance from. There are numerous driver and third-party software issues that plague this OS, but surprisingly little to no gain in performance and features. With Vista around the corner, you are money will be better invested in 32-bit at the moment.
Synopsis – Putting it all together
Knowing is half the battle and knowing exactly what to purchase makes things far easier when putting together your first or even hundredth PC. If you choose the same (or similar) devices listed in this article, you should end up with a solid, quality PC that fits into a budget of around $750. For those looking to go even lower, it is possible to trim off another $200 if you select the cheaper options given throughout the article.
Basic Configuration - Under $600 Plus Windows XP + Shipping and Taxes (if applicable):
