Micro Express keeps on winning PC World or PC Mag, or some PC award for the model below. Its a good computer made with very good components, I don't believe it comes with a monitor. Your final price will be about 1,1000.00 to 1200.00 and it will be easily Vista upgradable.
Its what I would choose for myself. Comes with 2 GB of RAM. Hit the "customize" button under the little picture.

marf

Here is a link that might be useful: Micro Express ... dammn good computer.

I saw some advertised at Best Buy (HP's) that still have XP. Dual Core 1 gig. Seemed to be good prices.

Jane

A lot of people have had complaints on various forums concerning various subjects with recently purchased HP's.

I would choose a Dell over HP at the moment, and I'd choose Micro Express with a 550 case over them both.

MY2 marf

If you buy one with XP, that just means your Operating System will become obsolete all that much sooner, and then you'll have to pay extra to upgrade to Vista at some future point.

Have one made custom by a reputable computer shop in your area. You get the choice of an operating system. You may pay a few bucks more, but then your repair center is local and not through a 1-800 number

You're not alone. I've heard two different radio computer shows this week saying people are asking for XP and it is available. Anyone telling you that Vista is the only OS you can get now is trying to sell only what they have or doesn't want to bother installing it.

One said Dell is going back to XP until Vista is "ready for prime time." Sandy

I have to agree Dell Computers are the very best bang for your buck unless you build your own pc from parts.

They still offer windows XP but its a strange way to get there.

You have to go to the dell website and click on the link on the right hand column that says: "STILL LOOKING FOR WINDOWS XP?", then scroll down through all the crap advertising vista, then it will show you links to xp systems configurations.

you can also call them to buy xp with a new system at 1-800-999-3355 (1-800-WWW-DELL).

I dont advise the phone service becaue its some voice recognition system that doesnt work right so you ahve to go through a few people to get to the sales staff.

good luck !

Dell.com will let you load XP instead of Vista, but I agree with the above poster that said you will just be spending money shortly to upgrade to Vista when XP is obsolete soon.

I disagree.

I still have flawlessly running versions of windows NT 4 and windows 2000 server on our server cluster.

XP wont be obsolete anytime soon.

Heck I still know many users who run windows 98 with no problems.

Dont upgrade an OS to a problematic buggy one without service packs fixing the issues unless you need to.

Vista is and will be buggy for a long time until they iron out the bugs and compatibility issues. Also it takes some time for vista-compatible 3rd party product software versions to kick in with their own updates and fixes.

When will they come out with the first service pack? I will need to get a computer before July.

I bought my Toshiba (XP) last fall as I didn't want Vista. I'm so happy I did, no problems at all! BTW, I still use Win. 98, & ME and both work just fine. :)

About Vista...Nobody is madly in love with it. I originally thought Microsoft was going to force feed us Vista, but there are so many speed bumps...that can't do it.

As we all have noticed, most mainstream new computers didn't offer the choice, Vista or nothing. That's changing. Probably because manufacturer's can't deal with the headaches...and particularly HP who is selling Vista Premium on computers ill-equiped for the graphic laden OS.

Gamers are the big problem. That's a big headache for Microsoft, because gaming is the premise of what Vista is built upon.

Even my little Morrowind 2002 game forum over at CNET's Gamespot have posters complaining loud and clear.
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If you want XP, you should consider building your own PC. Intel (and other Mobo manufacturers) have a lot of info on their websites and will guide you through selection of compatable components.

You won't save any money building your own, but you'll be deciding what hardware you want, etc.