Depends. What purpose does your computer need to serve? Is it a gaming computer, family used computer, home media center, server, or etc. Does it need to be mobile? Laptop vs Desktop. Which operating system is ideal for your needs, could a flavor of Linux suite your needs? What is your budget? Do you plan on buying a preconfigured machine or build it yourself? Essentially you want a computer that has a decent i5 or i7 processor, if you like Intel's chips. I recommend 8GB of RAM, though some may get by on less. Do you need the snappiness of a solid state drive, vs sheer capacity of a HD? If you are using a desktop, would you need multiple displays? Graphics cards that could handle driving your display at native resolution or multiple displays at native resolution. Unfortunately you didn't give a lot of information on what you're looking for, so these are just basic things. technonook.com Your Technology Hide-Away
If it is only for the use of kids and family use then speed matters. High speed and good and reliable brand will give you good results.
Well, I'll consider whether there are people in that home which know how to use a pc. If they do, then it's a matter of honesty. No, seriously, if kids are going to use a pc, then I would spend quite a lot in terms of graphic card, ram, etc. Because their goal requires high pc specs. If it's a teenage girl than I'll better pick a less specialized pc, but spend more on peripherals, as in keyboard, mouse, monitor etc. If adults are going to use them for leasure, the cheapest you can go the better. Because extra power would be like having a bike whose throttle you'll never turn to "11". So, in other words, when considering a pc, you try to match the required use you presuppose it's primarely gonna be used as.