Just like in audio, the potential answers depend on your budget and preferences.
Here's my 2 cents:
1) Operating systems
I second the Macintosh idea, or try Linux for another unix flavor. (Linux runs on just about every machine around.) Of course, you have to be comfortable in Unix or at least willing to learn. Unix-based systems are going to be the most reliable for people running multiple applications at once. Otherwise, stick with Windows XP (which admittedly isn't a terrible OS).
2) Monitors
Get a good 20" LCD monitor. You're going to need a lot of real estate for running multiple windows efficiently. 20" monitors are at the sweet spot in the price/performance ratio. Get one with a high recommended resolution, such as 1600x1200. Viewsonic and Samsung are two manufacturers that make great products. Try looking at the displays at a local store and see what looks best to you. Or take a look at Newegg.com (the best online computer store, bar none) and check out the reviews.
As a sidenote, you'll need a halfway decent (but certainly not high-end) video card that is capable of handling the full resolution of the monitor. (LCD monitors can look pretty bad when the video card doesn't support the recommended resolution of the monitor.) I don't think you should spend more than $100 on the video card.
3) Memory
Plan on at least 1GB RAM (it's around $90) no matter which machine you choose. If you're just doing web-based research, your internet connection will be the limiting factor, so you don't need to go overboard on memory. (Of course, if you're also doing 3D molecular modeling, I would advise differently.)
4) Other
Insist on good drive storage considering you're downloading a lot of music. And budget additional removable hard drive storage for backup. I would use two 320GB SATA drives in RAID 0, with a 500GB drive in an external enclosure as an external backup. Seagate is my favorite brand of hard drives, but Western Digital makes good drives, too.
Send me an e-mail if you have any further questions. Building computers is another one of my hobbies.
Michael
Here's my 2 cents:
1) Operating systems
I second the Macintosh idea, or try Linux for another unix flavor. (Linux runs on just about every machine around.) Of course, you have to be comfortable in Unix or at least willing to learn. Unix-based systems are going to be the most reliable for people running multiple applications at once. Otherwise, stick with Windows XP (which admittedly isn't a terrible OS).
2) Monitors
Get a good 20" LCD monitor. You're going to need a lot of real estate for running multiple windows efficiently. 20" monitors are at the sweet spot in the price/performance ratio. Get one with a high recommended resolution, such as 1600x1200. Viewsonic and Samsung are two manufacturers that make great products. Try looking at the displays at a local store and see what looks best to you. Or take a look at Newegg.com (the best online computer store, bar none) and check out the reviews.
As a sidenote, you'll need a halfway decent (but certainly not high-end) video card that is capable of handling the full resolution of the monitor. (LCD monitors can look pretty bad when the video card doesn't support the recommended resolution of the monitor.) I don't think you should spend more than $100 on the video card.
3) Memory
Plan on at least 1GB RAM (it's around $90) no matter which machine you choose. If you're just doing web-based research, your internet connection will be the limiting factor, so you don't need to go overboard on memory. (Of course, if you're also doing 3D molecular modeling, I would advise differently.)
4) Other
Insist on good drive storage considering you're downloading a lot of music. And budget additional removable hard drive storage for backup. I would use two 320GB SATA drives in RAID 0, with a 500GB drive in an external enclosure as an external backup. Seagate is my favorite brand of hard drives, but Western Digital makes good drives, too.
Send me an e-mail if you have any further questions. Building computers is another one of my hobbies.
Michael