Help me figure out what kind of computer?

[clark k]

facebook, emails, word documents, printing are not that system intensive. Netflix could be though.

=== RAM: 3GB+ ===
i would go for atleast 3GB of RAM so you can have a decent number of programs running at the same time. 4GB RAM tops. more is probably overkill even for gaming. most new computer come with atleast 4GB so you may end up with that 4GB.

=== Hard Drive space 160GB+ ===
well that depends on how much you want to store permanently, think of music and videos (documents generally take of very little space). you're probably fine with almost any number of GigaBytes if you don't have something like a huge 300 album mp3 collection. but i would go for atleast 160GB just to be safe. 40GB might a little tight after installing programs especially on Windows 7, and generally comes with older computers. 80GB is also possible but the price is not that different from 160GB drives.

=== CPU: 2.0 Ghz+ Dual Core ===
incase you like to open a lot of windows: i would go for a New computer with a Dual or Quad Core which are like having 2 or 4 CPU's in one respectively (go for which ever is cheaper). Dual/Quad Core is nice when you have many windows/programs, and a single program is less likely slow down your pc to a halt. a CPU with atleast 2.0 Ghz would be a good speed. an Intel Atom CPU is probably NOT a good idea for Netflix. i say New computer because you would have a hard time finding new computers in stores that are too slow.

=== Graphics: by ATI/nVidia (try netflix on it in a store) ===
for Netflix you might want to have a graphics card by ATI or nVidia (an onboard/integrated card by them, would be slower but it would probably be enough too). i suggest trying the system out in a store so you see if its good or if it stutters (it's also easier to return to a store).

=== Printing: check for available drivers ===
if you have an old printer, you want to keep using, then you might want to look up if you can find drivers for it (at the manufacturer's website) on the operating system that will come with the computer (especially if it's Windows 7). (they might be able to help you at the store or i could look it up if you have the model name)