I need a new PC; which one should I buy? We're asked this question on an almost weekly basis by friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers alike. We normally respond first by asking our nephew or next-door neighbor if the many reviews freely available on CNET.com have provided any guidance. Told that it's too much work, we sigh and ask our mother-in-law or mailman about their budgetary restrictions and how they intend to use their PC. Playing the latest 3D games? Running Photoshop or other intensive graphics apps? Editing video for home movie masterworks? Just surfing the Web and sending e-mail? After we determine a budget and the intended use, we then proceed to scan our reviews and vendor sites for potential matches.

Since there aren't enough hours in the day for us to act as personal shoppers for all of our acquaintances and CNET readers--particularly now, as the holiday shopping season looms--we decided to nip the "which PC should I buy" question in the bud. We pounded the pavement and clicked about the Internet to uncover the best PCs regardless of budget. Whether you want to spend just a tiny fraction of your paycheck or a small fortune, we'll tell you not only what specs your new PC should have, but also where to find your new system. Are you better off buying in a store or online? Of Best Buy and Circuit City, who has the better selection and prices? Which online vendors have the best deals? We'll answer these questions and ultimately let you know which PC you should buy and where you should buy it.