We're converting an open room in the house into an office, and I am going to add a desktop to the mix.
Can you still maximize value by building your own tower, or are the packages you find at Best Buy or Micro Center gonna be just as cost effective? If the answer is build, where do you recommend purchasing from?
If you have a Costco membership already, check there and follow them to keep checking deals until you finally settle on whatever. They come up with outstanding prices occasionally.
If you can add one of those deals to the facts that -
1) they often bundle in complete software packages
2)they augment the factory warranties with an added year or even two on the back end of the manufacturer's term
3)they have a very capable and responsive English-as-a-first-language Seattle-based IT "Concierge Service"
- you may find them the best choice for you if you aren't really tech-savvy.
You could find something "almost perfect" that requires you to order an extra stick of RAM from Microcenter for one of your geek buddies to add in, but that might negate the extended warranty, if that matters to you.
One of the best thing about the desktop is the ability to look over your child's shoulder from time to time.
Good luck.