My wife and I both just got new computers at Best Buy for $299 each. Sure they are bottom of the line but we have the same uses for them that you do and they are fine. If you are into online gaming you may need something better and faster but for surfing the net, word processing and poker you don't need more. We got Emachines and have only had problems with one of them in the last 8 years or so. If you don't have a lap top they are kinda neat since you can sit in the living room and watch the Indy 500 while you type like I am now (with a wireless network). I bought my laptop so I could keep connected when I travel.