A just-received newsletter points to a fairly new HP release that might be of interest, particularly if someone needs a new computer and monitor. This unit is an "all-in-1" desktop that has the computer sort of "built into" the monitor base.

A common objection to this type of set up is that there's little access to the innards for modifications or updates, but the claim is made that the hard drive is a standard desktop model and is easily accessible, and that RAM also can be readily upgraded - probably the most likely upgrades or maintenance issues most people would see. The 500GB HD and 3GB RAM are likely to meet most peoples real needs without modification.

Not quite in the "under $500" range, but close at $530 from HP or a few bucks more elsewhere.

HP Omni 100 if anyone's interested.

NOT a recommendation, but it looked like it might be of interest.

John