Re: New Desktop...
For a total novice just looking for the very basics (e-mails, browsing, a little music - and a little above this) a fairly cheap package will certainly do.
Dell have many critics but any company who've grown like Dell have will never be able to keep all their customers happy all of the time (look at Windows, Apple [regarding the iPod] etc). I've dealt with Dell twice and was extremely happy both times.
If you feel you may need follow up support (anything from how to get it going to future upgrades or perpherials - its the problems and the follow up customer support that seems to be giving Dell the most complaints atm) it may be more comforting to go to a local supplier. For a fairly low spec machine the savings of going on-line etc would/may be very little.
Decide exactly what you want (CD burning - make sure it has a CD burner (CD-R or CD-RW), watching DVDs - make sure it has a DVD/CD-R(or RW) etc think about additional things like wireless internet or extras - can all be added later but may be easier now).
Have a look on the Dell site (
www.dell.ie) and see what sort of prices your getting for the system. Compare this to some local shops to see if you think its worth the extra trouble.
When you do call into local shops don't be afraid to ask the sales people to run through things with you. Speeds of processors, memory etc can be daunting at first look, but when explained by someone who can its all very graspable. Ignore the sales pitches they throw at you and just pick up the info you need. Then decide which you feel is easiest for you (I would suggest a local shop as going for the cheapest [possibly online] is not the same as going for the best solution for you - anyone who's had serious trouble will tell you how much they'd have paid to avoid it).
Hope it all goes well.