Buying a new computer..., ...what do you recommend? Options

[*thesweetescape*]

Okay, be resonable. Obviously, I'm not going to go out and buy and alienware, and no...I'm not building my own either (even though some day I'd like to attempt it.) What desktops or laptops would you recommend that would be a best deal for low price? I've shopped around a little online but I want to know first hand how these computers are running...I can't afford for a computer to crap out on me in a few months...and what I want is pretty basic: internet, word processor for school, cd burner, floppy drive....if possible, i'm looking for a laptop but if i can't find a cheap enough one ($1,000 or under) i'm going to get a desktop....soooo any suggestions?

[capsule]

thaers something called maccally masu...............its pretty cheap its for the imac

interesting....i should get that :T...
http://www.macally.com/spec/usb/storage_device/fddusb.html

I know I'm gunna get flamed for this....

If all your going to use is word processing, internet and the basic computer stuff, eMac's are not that bad. One thing is, that becuase macs have such a bad rep, theres next to no viruses for it. It's very user friendly, especialy OSX. Only thing you wont like is not having a right mouse click button. you just press a key while you click and theres your right click, you get used to it quickly.

My 2 cents are done, so bring on the flames about how macs are the worst computers in th world, however have the presence of mind to say why you dont like them. Its annoying having to see "Dell pwns mac" and "macs suck" Who knows, maybe you will give them a second chance... 

while there isnt anything wrong with mac..they're still somewhat more expensive than pcs....took a look at the eMac and the Value XP i mentioned....they're both $799, but...

eMac:
256MB DDR333
40 GB Ultra ATA HD
1.25 GHz PowerPC G4

Value XP:
512MB DDR400
80 GB Ultra ATA HD
2.8 GHz Pentium 4

both come along with keyboard + mouse. also, u get a 19" monitor with the XP while u get a 17" for the eMac...i just think u get more out of your money if u get a PC.