I bought mine (in the UK) only recently from Time. Again a bundled package suited me best and while accepting the premise that you get nothing for nothing I got a printer, scanner and digital camera included. The spec for the system is a 1700 mhz AMD processor,512 mb RAM, DVD, CDRW, 17" monitor and 60 gb hard drive for 1200 pounds -- and I think the price has come down in the 2 months since I got it!! While the hard drive is probably too big, I do notice the difference in speed from my old machine.

Think about what you want to do with the system. If you're into graphics then get as much memory as you can afford. A CD writer will also enable you to hold some of the data on disk rather than on the hard drive.

Try and get as much freestuff as possible from the seller but be aware that some will offer software packages which are not the latest version and most of the reference stuff may be useless to an internet user who has the whole of the web to find the data on. All of that will (in some way) be included in the price.

Basically, shop around and don't jump right away. I hung around for 6 months waiting for what I wanted to come down into my price range. I know I could have waited longer and got it for less but the old machine simply gave up the ghost and packed in altogether. That forced my hand.

Good luck

Davebhoy