I am in the market for a new computer. Can ...

Get an Apple MacBook Pro Leopard, it is worth it. Windows has become a vulnerable piece of "junk", and the costly problems it generates just is not worth it.  Besides you'll have more fun with a Mac.  As it relates to cost, it is somewhere in the middle.  Those folks know what they are doing, and the customer service is impeccable, plus they will give you a free ipod.  You're looking a spending about $1200 to 1300, but you can't go wrong.  wolfgangpitbullingtonIII

I'll be honest, i've always been a fan of the Dell products. 

The best buy is a matter of taste. HP/Compact would be at the bottom of my list. For a good PC look at Sony.  They are about $300 more than HP but are a much better PC.  In the HP price area DEll, what used to be Gateway (I think it is ACER) or okay.  There is no max on memory for the 64 bit machine, or the max is so high it is not worth worrying about.

Compact is made by HP and is essentially the same computer.  Vista is being replaced with a new operating system.  Mac is a very good computer, but very pricey.  I use a Mac for recording music and working on art, it is vastly superior to PC for the performing arts types.  For business the PC works better and is cheaper.  So switching to a Mac depends on what you are doing with your computer.

Your best bets are either an HP or a Dell. Macs are very good too but they can run pretty pricey.