Question for the computer experts

[justcarol67]

Dina wrote:
> Even though I personally wouldn't use a Dell PC nowadays nor am I fan
> of their means at achieving lower costs, if you want to define the
> choice as 'lazy', it's that but I don't think Carol's first thought
> was 'will this help the US economy'. ;-)  I think the "little guys"
> are good for consumers who want more guidance and options**, but
from my impression, Carol wanted something she could 'use and forget
> about'.  Dell will probably be around long enough to support
longterm warranty since I don't know how much 'use and abuse' Carol
puts her computers through for her to bring up warranty issues and it
sounded like she didn't need a specialized computer. <snip>

Carol responds:
Dina, you read my needs perfectly. I forgot to mention that I have DSL
and am online eight hours or more a day whether I'm working (editing a
manuscript using Word 2000--can't abide the newer versions)--or
playing (mostly HPfGU and browsing the Internet but also Jumbles and
that sort of thing). But the computer has to be good for video games
of the Age of Mythology/Zoo Tycoon variety (and Microsoft Flight
Simulator) for a certain twelve-year-old who spends a lot of time with
me. I'll need a CD-RW and DVD-ROM drive. Nothing fancy. I don't do
screen captures or anything like that.

There's a new Dell outlet store just down the street from me (haven't
been there yet), but I don't know if they'll set up the computer and
transfer data from the old one (all the stuff in My Documents needs to
be transferred) and I doubt that they'll honor the online specials.

Is that my best bet, do you think? thanks for your help!

Carol