Considering I probably couldn't build a computer if I tried, I went with what I KNOW would work, run like a top, and give me few headaches.   Everything in my laundry list of workable office machinery is HP.  My comp is an HP Pavillion, which...... not for nothing was affordable as heck, and is like a tank.   Very little compromises it, and after upgrading it to 2gig HD, its so fast my hair blows back.  My printers as well, both my portfolio printer and my poster printer are also HP.  

I've found the customer service at HP not only good, but they basically treat me like the Queen of Shebah......... a far cry from the (aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah the horror!!!) E-machine I used to have.

Its not a perfect machine, which I don't think any really are, persea...... but it has what i'm looking for, especially the pocket book (under 900 bucks), and has the most important feature, its upgradeable.