All you computer saavy guys, I need help picking a new desktop!!

[Total Sweetheart]

Hey all. That last post about the ideal monitor size got me thinking a lot about buying a new desktop with a big shiny monitor. I play a lot on my lap top now, which suits me fine, but I think my Christmas gift to myself is going to be a nice home office set up. I don't want to go to Best Buy clueless and end up buying more or less than I need. Help!!!

My Main Priorities

able to work with oversize monitor, at least 24 inches
have the ability to do the dual monitor
can handle lots of poker tables at once

I don't do much on the internet other than email and web surfing and I use Microsoft Office a lot, so nothing crazy there. I'm not big into downloading music or movies or playing video games or anything like that.

If your computer set up can be used for what I described, or if you can recommend what you think I need, I'd love it if you'd let me know - what type of computer it is, price estimate, where'd you buy it, how do you like it, anything else you think would be helpful to share.

I'm not a tech genius by any means so keep it in english for me!

Thanks everyone

[nawhead]

Originally Posted by Total Sweetheart

have the ability to do the dual monitor

This is the only actual criteria that needs to be addressed. Just pick whatever computer fits into your budget minus $50-75. Then grab a video card with dual output. Nvidia or ATI chipset, doesn't really matter if you're not into 3D gaming. And make sure you get the right connector type, it'll probably be PCI Express (PCI-E), but just make sure.

Some dual outputs are dual digital, some are digital and analog. The more expensive models will have dual digital. I'd assume this is what you want.

If you can stick a nintendo cartridge into the game slot, you can install a video card (more or less, with the addition of screws).

Poker applications aren't computationally or graphically intensive (except for PKR's site, I fool around with play money on there sometimes cause it's like a 3D videogame), but I'd suggest not buying the absolute cheapest computer system they have, but something like $100-150 above the cheapest.

Bare minimum specs to keep in mind: 1 gig of memory. 20 gig hard drive.

Yah... others can disagree. Maybe with like 20 tables you might want 2 gig of memory. Maybe with Windows Vista and Windows 7 you need 2 gigs. I still use XP and I'll keep using it until stuff just doesn't work anymore so I dunno. You can get a $300 computer with 2 gig memory I think.

If you want a system that comes preconfigured with dual monitor support, you'll have to buy midrange systems in the 500+ range I think.

[Total Sweetheart]

Awesome. Thanks for your help ... glad to hear this isnt going to cost an arm and a leg.