[JenB]

How about a compromise? Buy a system with a little less RAM than you really want, then upgrade the RAM and video card if need be in six months. Get a cd burner now, then add a dvd burner later.

[Corin Stormhands]

hmmmmm...that's a thought. I'd have to have you guys walk me through it tho.

But, it's not even a remote possibility until I get the taxes finished. And maybe not even then.

[TalonDJ]

I would say buy with as "Buy a system with as little RAM as possible and upgrade it right away to a healthy amount from some place really cheap, then upgrade the video card if need be in six months."
Windows XP really LOVES ram. I never thought I needed much more but when I finally upgraded it recently it was like I had bought a whole new faster machine. Buy the minimum amount of ram it comes with because the computer manufacturer will over price that. Then up it to at least something over 512mg right away.