"As inexpensive as possible - Where can I get the best value for my money? Specific online vendors? Real world vendors? Pawn shops? Places I can find nearly-new or floor demo models at cheap prices?" A: Will likely be dictated by the brand you want to buy.

"Reliable - Which OS should I be looking for? Which computer brands should I steer toward or away from?"
A: Windows 7 is a good OS for a PC. Stay away from Vista. As to brands, stay away from HP/Compaq. This from personal experience. We use Dell at work, and I have found them to be pretty reliable, but your are likely to get anecdotal evidence here. I've seen some articles on the web praising Asus, but I don't have any experience with them.

"Desktop or laptop - I'm open to either, as long as they're comparable in quality and life expectancy." A: Laptop would be my choice. I am going to assume you have broadband, and if you don't already have one, get a wireless N router. You can then be mobile. Laptops are very reliable these days. However, this may end up being dictated by need for a larger display and access to printing. If you need a big display to do your work, you may need to go with a desktop, or get a separate display that can be hooked up to the video out of the laptop.

"Videocam - This will be necessary for video conferencing. "
A: Make sure the laptop has an embedded video cam. Not all do. Since the cam is embedded in the laptop lid, using a desktop instead will require you to purchase a separate camera to attach to your monitor.

"Internet - Internet-ready and high speed connection compatible" A: All new ones are today, but if you go used, make sure it has a wireless card and a LAN port.

"Those are the bare bones of my requirements. Since I know nothing about PC's, I don't know if there are other features I'll need, as well, so feel free to educate me. I just need to get a dependable machine as cheaply as possible." A: Make sure you match the OS level of your company, i.e., 32-bit or 64-bit. You did not give any detail on what you will be doing with it, and that leads to better answers to this question. For example, if you will be using 3D modeling software, you will need 4 gigs of RAM for 32-bit. If you are doing spreadsheet work, you can get away with 2. I wouldn't go less than 2 gigs of RAM. Make sure you have enough USB outlets (3 minimum with desktop (4 better), 2 minimum with laptop), but as long as you have one free one, you can get USB hubs that give you more capacity.

this is a very broad request and you will get really varied responses because everyone has their preferences.
For example I much prefer HP over Dell I have owned many HP with very good experiences but will not own a Dell because they are so propritary and my husband changed his entire office computer away from Dell and to HP. Dell has really gone through some changes and not necessarily for the better.That being said every one will have pros and cons against various companies so you really just have to go with what you find that fits the bill for you.

Walmart and Sams have very good prices. I would not go with anything other than windows 7 64bit if they specifically told you to go with a newer pc.

I personally prefer AMD processors over Intel but have had both and either would work, the AMD will generally be cheaper.

If this is strictly for work from home I would go with a desktop much more comfortable to work from on a day to day basis and the monitor will be easier to view.

You want at least 2 GB of Ram
Probably at least a 250 GB hard drive bigger is better for storage.

Any new pc should be equipped with what you need for connections purposes.
Not knowing your specific work needs I would suspect any good quality new pc will handle your other needs as far as video and audio components.

You will need to install all of your security programs which you likely have not dealt with since you use MAC. A new pc usually comes bundled with a trail version of something like Norton or McAfee, I personally fully remove those and go with either the free AVAST or Microsoft Security Essentials. You can use the built in firewall just need to turn it on, and then you can get free malwarebytes scanner to do your weekly scans for malware. These all really need to be up and ready on the pc before you ever connect it to the internet.

Do NOT get anything with a celeron processor they are just not the top of the line and are lacking especially for a work machine. I generally do not recommend emachine brand, they will be the cheaper priced ones but they use the lesser quality insides.

Many do not come with a monitor so you may have to buy that separately. I really prefer a flat LCD monitor over the older CRT monitors. Prices are pretty good on them now.

here are a couple of examples available at walmart.com
Desktop PC no monitor with this one

Acer Desktop Bundle

you will see dual core and quad core mentioned dual means it has 2 processors quad means it has 4 so of course the 4 would be much faster, most work can easily be done on a dual core. So either would probably work for you, hard to say for sure with out knowing the type of work.

an Acer with monitor in the bundle
Acer

those should give you some idea of what specs you will be looking for.

I have never bought a computer at a pawn shop not sure what you would be getting, I have bought used ones from a computer repair shop that repairs and builds computers and had very good luck there. If you have any local places like that you might check with them, and they build you one for a decent price.

here is a nice bundle from bestbuy that includes a printer also
Compaq Presario CQ5814 Desktop, 20" LCD Monitor & Inkjet Printer Package

online job, work at home, video conferencing work requirements? you need a computer but have never owned one? where did you find this job? is it legit? what do you do that needs video capability?

Thank you very much, sofaspud and ravencajun, for the helpful advice and links. Your responses and those I have received from other computer forums are providing me with some of the basic information I need to make an appropriate purchase for my needs. I truly appreciate your help.

Joe, you have misunderstood both the information in and the intent of my post. I have owned computers for decades, but I have always had Macs. I am very familiar with Macs but am completely ignorant of PC's, thus my request for PC information. All you need to know about my job opportunity is that it involves online text editing and possible video conferencing, as stated in my initial post. If you have PC recommendations or information to offer, I'll be happy and grateful to receive it.

Laurie

Sofaspud. I had very bad results with Asus Essentio. However, there is a new one out that you are right about.
My advice is strong as I have struggled. DO NOT go to BEST BUY. They jeered me for hours yesterday even after they admited to selling me a PC with corrupt drive. They are not reputable if you read Google but somewhat the only convenient game. I have given them $462 to have their "Geek Squad" fix their problem. They lost my info and made subfiles of what was left. They will not lose any money on a bad computer the sell you. They will send it off for 4 weeks back to the manufacture.
Also, I hope you have someone in the IT business who can fix your computer when you need help. Before the Best Buy scam my last computer lasted 13 years. I am adamant about you listening to what I experienced and I knew better. Their warranties are uselss if you have people who can't fix your computer. They hire people who are studying IT on-line. Real IT techs would be with a company making good money.So forget about their "service plan" this is not a bundled deal where you get good inhouse service from people who care.

with out a doubt I would never let geek squad touch my pc. their canned response is to just reformat.

Don't overlook Amazon.com once you have an idea of make and model you might want. I got a good deal on a HP laptop a couple of years ago through them. I'd also advise staying away from Best Buy if at all possible. Staples is another store where you might find some good buys.

Can't stress enough having good AV and malware protection on a PC as this is a minor worry for Macs. I wouldn't dare go online with a PC without good protection. Many good programs available for free: Avast or AVG anti virus or Microsoft Security Essentials for both AV and spyware, all free; Spyware Blaster for malware protection, Malwarebytes for scanning and removing malware, also SuperAntiSpyware, again, all free.

We have had Dells forever and have had only good results. I have also had HP's which have had problems and I would not buy another. I don't understand the comment about proprietary issues with Dells. I've never run into that.

I like to configure my computers on-line and watch for sales.I have only bought Dell machines on-line from their website. They just had some great deals on laptops with the new Intel processors. Almost bought another laptop.

Our oldest machine is 10 years and never had a repair.

Jane