Looking for a computer that suits your needs, but are confused with all the techno babble going around? Here is a guide to get you the best computer money can buy.

You are: Creativity at large

Your perfect PC: An Apple Power Mac G4 Cube with Power Mac G4 450 MHz, 64 MB RAM, 20 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, 56K built-in Modem, Apple Pro Keyboard and Mouse.
Damages: Rs 1,29,500

On the lighter side: An Apple iMac DV 400 with a Power PC G3 400 MHz, 64 MB RAM, 10 GB Hard Drive, 24x-speed CD Drive, 15" Monitor (built-in), 56K Modem, Apple Pro Keyboard and Mouse.
Damages: Rs 72,200

Add-ons: Optional monitor for the Power Mac; Apple LaserJet Printer; Scanner OS Pick: Mac OS 9.

The Mac has always been the designer's choice, and Apple has done all it can to keep it as the industry standard. There is not one run-of-the-mill aspect these machines have. The G4 Cube is a small computer which features the fastest hardware for graphics and makes running applications like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and QuarkXPress a breeze.The monitor is optional, and you will have to buy it separately. And if you can't fish out that amount of money, go for an iMac, which is as good as the Power Mac, and one of the masterpieces from Apple.

It comes in five funky colours, with various special editions being released from time to time.

You are: A die-hard gamer

Your perfect PC: A Compaq Presario 7000A5 with Intel Pentium III 1 GHz Processor, 128 MB RAM, 30 GB Hard Drive, 16x DVD Drive, Nvidia Riva TNT2 Graphics Card (with 16 MB VRAM), 56K Internal Modem, Web Cam, 15" Monitor, Creative SoundBlaster Soundcard, JBL Platinum Speakers. Comes with a free Inkjet Printer, Scanner and Game Pad (time limited offer), Windows Me and bundled software.
Damages: Rs 78,000

On the lighter side: Custom-built PC with 850 MHz Intel Pentium III Processor, Intel Original 815E Motherboard, 128 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, 52x-speed CD-ROM Drive, 3.5" Floppy Drive, Nvidia Riva TNT2 Graphics Card (with 32 MB VRAM), 15" Monitor, 56K Internal Modem, Samsung 104 Key Keyboard, Yamaha Soundcard, Amplified Speakers, Genius Joystick, Logitech First Mouse (3-button). (Approx Rs 48,000)
Add-ons: APC BackUPS 500.
Damages: Rs 5,200

Better deals: Samtron 17" Monitor, Rs 12,000; Creative SoundBlaster Live (Value), Rs 3,000; Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Pro Joystick, Rs 5,000. OS Pick: Windows 98/Windows Me

If you dream about being Lara Croft in Tomb Raider or driving that swanky Porsche in a version of Need for Speed, slap your wrist and wake up. This is the machine to make your dreams come true. With a PIII and a TNT graphics card, it's pure adrenaline!

Since games usually demand big storage spaces, we've thrown in a big hard disk and some extra memory to make sure you will never have freezing frames while you play a game.

And, if you want, you could go in for some higher end stuff like a 17" monitor and a Creative Live soundcard-it's going to be a mind-blowing explosion! Add to it speakers with sub woofers, and you'll feel out of this world.

You are: Like the Relic Hunter, always on the go

Your perfect PC: An IBM ThinkPad I Series with an Intel Celeron 600 MHz, 64 MB RAM, 10 GB Hard Disk, 1.44 MB Floppy Drive, 12" TFT Display, 56K Modem, 24x CDROM Drive, Ni MH battery, Windows 98.
Damages: Rs 84,200

On the lighter side: Acer TravelMate TM 508DX with an Intel Celeron 500 MHz, 32 MB RAM, 4.8 GB Hard Disk, 24x CD ROM Drive, Internal Floppy Drive, 12" LCD Display, 56K Modem, Ni MH battery, Windows 98.
Damages: Rs 62,400

A national level sportstar? A busy model? Or just somebody who wants a computer to give you company all the while? Get yourself a laptop to be by your side as you zip around. A laptop is a considerably more expensive investment than a desktop PC. And the weight is what determines the rate. The IBM ThinkPad, which stands at the higher end, packs some of the best features of a desktop, like the 10 GB hard disk and some powerful multimedia components. All that packed into a decent 2.7 kilos. On the other hand, if you are just starting out, you could go in for the Acer TravelMate Notebook, which is somewhat heavier, but a good mix of everything you would need to do on the move, except, maybe, playing Quake. All of them come with enough ports for you to add more pointing devices and external equipment to the comp.

You are: A genius in science or computers

Your perfect PC: A Wipro Voyager FLEX with 800 MHz Intel Pentium III Processor, 64 MB RAM, 20 GB Hard Drive, 52x CD-ROM Drive, 3.5" Floppy Drive, 15" Monitor, 56K Modem, Internet Keyboard, Speakers, Mic, Scroll Mouse and Web Cam. Comes with Windows Me and bundled software.
Damages: Rs 65,000

On the lighter side: Custom-built PC with 800 MHz Intel Pentium III Processor, Intel Original 815 Motherboard, 128 MB RAM, 20 GB Hard Drive, 52x-speed CD-ROM Drive, 3.5" Floppy Drive, 15" Monitor, SiS 6326 AGP Card (with 8 MB RAM), 56K Internal Modem, TVSE Cherry Gold Keyboard, Speakers, Logitech First Mouse (3-button).
Damages: Approx Rs 37,000

Add-ons: APC Back UPS 500, Rs 5,200; HP DeskJet DJ640C, Rs 5,500; 64 MB RAM, Rs 1,400. OS Pick: Windows 98/Windows Me.

If you are well acquainted with the intricacies of C++ and Linux, and need the perfect machine to type your code on, add 64 MB of memory to your Wipro Flex and the genius in you finds paradise. From heavyweight Windows programming to graphing and calculation with Excel, this machine can take everything on it. If you are getting your computer assembled, a Cherry Keyboard will be a good bet. You'll need all the memory you can get, so get as much as you possibly can. But don't forget that after all that work, you need some play-so hit on Road Rash!

You are: A John Grisham or Jhumpa Lahiri in the making

Your perfect PC: A Compaq Presario 3200A with Intel Celeron 700 MHz Processor, 64MB RAM, 20GB Hard Drive, 48x-speed CD-ROM Drive, 56K Internal Modem, 15" Monitor. Comes with a free Compaq Inkjet Printer & Scanner (time limited offer), Windows Me and bundled software.
Damages: Rs 51,990

On the lighter side: Custom-built PC with 633 MHz Intel Celeron Processor, Intel 810E chipset based Motherboard, 64 MB RAM, 20 GB Hard Drive, 50x-speed CD-ROM Drive, 3.5" Floppy Drive, 15" Monitor, 56K Internal Modem, TVSE Cherry Gold Keyboard, Logitech First Mouse (3-button), Speakers.
Damages: Approx Rs 26,500

Add-ons: HP DeskJet DJ640C, Rs 5,500; APC BackUPS 500, Rs 5,200. OS Pick: Windows 98/Windows Me.

If you are aiming for a Booker, or just need a computer to churn out all your project reports and assignments in style, this is the perfect mix. This entry-level machine has got enough horsepower to take your typing for hours on end. You can also do some easy surfing, and play games and video CDs. The 64 MB memory is good enough for all the basic software like Microsoft Word and Office 2000 suite. If you get your PC custom-built, the money you save on the processor could be used well by going in for a good printer, like the HP DeskJet.

You are: Nuts about the Net

Your perfect PC: An HP Pavilion 8851 with a 866 MHz Intel Pentium III Processor, 64 MB RAM, 20GB Hard Drive, 48x-speed CD-ROM Drives, 15" Monitor, 56K Internal Modem, Multimedia Keyboard, Scroll Mouse. Comes with Inkjet Printer, bundled Windows Me & software.
Damages: Rs 56,100

On the lighter side: Custom-built PC with 700 MHz Intel Pentium III Processor, Intel 810 chipset based Motherboard, 64 MB RAM, 20 GB Hard Drive, 52x-speed CD-ROM Drive, 3.5" Floppy Drive, 17" Monitor, 56K Internal Modem, TVSE Cherry Gold Keyboard, Speakers, Headphones with Mic, Logitech First+ Wheel Mouse (3-button).
Damages: Approx Rs 38,000

Add-ons: APC BackUPS 500, Rs 5,200.

Better deals: Lanbit 56.6K External Modem, Rs 2,700; A DSL/ Internet-over-Cable Connection; 128 MB RAM, Rs 3,000
OS Pick: Windows 98/Windows Me.

Hooked to the Internet? Great, here is a configuration to make your Internet experience complete. To avoid your eyes popping out, get yourself a bigger monitor like the 17-inch. The hard disk is enough for you to download lots of MP3s and still have space. And yeah, there is even a scroll mouse, so you don't have to keep clicking to scroll. For the regular chat attacks, you have a headphone cum microphone combo that you can use for voice chat or talking to your guy/girl in Africa. If you plan to run all the Net enabled software like browsers, instant messengers and download agents at one go, go for some more memory. Want more? Check whether you have a DSL or Internet-over-Cable connection being offered in your city and you'll be on, 24/7/365!

You are: An upcoming Fatboy Slim

Your perfect PC: An HP Pavilion 8853 with an Intel Pentium III 1 GHz, 128 MB RAM, 30 GB Hard Disk, 8x CD Rewriter, 15" Monitor, 3.5" Floppy Drive, 56K Internal Modem, Keyboard, Polk Audio, HP Mouse. Comes with Windows Me and bundled software.
Damages: Rs 71,700

On the lighter side: Custom-built PC with 700 MHz Intel Pentium III Processor, Intel Original 815 Motherboard, 128 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, 52x-speed CD-ROM Drive, Acer 4432A 4x CD Writer, 3.5" Floppy Drive, 15" Monitor, 56K Internal Modem, Samsung 104 Key Keyboard, Creative SoundBlaster Live (Value) Soundcard, Sub Woofer Speakers, Logitech First Mouse (3-button).
Damages: Approx Rs 48,000

Add-ons: APC BackUPS 500, Rs 5,200, OS Pick: Windows 98/Windows Me.

For a powerful music system to support your vocal chords, the Pavilion is the perfect home PC. It's got all the processing power, and a good soundcard. If you can, get yourself a SoundBlaster. There is a CD writer, to record your compositions and mixes on CDs and play them at parties. But if you are on a budget, you still get a PC that is perfect in all respects. It has got all the bells and whistles you'll ever need on your turntable, sorry-computer!

You are: A photographer

Your perfect PC: Custom Built PC with 800 MHz Intel Pentium III Processor, Intel Original 815 Motherboard, 128 MB RAM, 20 GB Hard Drive, Acer 4432A 4x CD Writer, 3.5" Floppy Drive, 17" Monitor, SiS 6326 AGP Card (with 8 MB RAM), 56K Internal Modem, Samsung 104 Key Keyboard, Speakers, Logitech First Mouse (3-button), HP ScanJet 3300C Scanner.
Damages: Approx Rs 50,000

Add-ons: APC BackUPS 500, Rs 5,200; HP DeskJet DJ640C, Rs 5,500; Dlink DSC-350F Digicam cum Webcam, Rs 9,500. OS Pick: Windows 98/Windows Me.

Congratulations on doing a good job of capturing some of the most beautiful scenes in the world on your camera. Now, you can organize all your stuff and give it the perfectionist's touch with this PC! There isn't a branded machine that would fit your needs, so get this one and scan all your snaps on to your machine. You could then give them all the finishing touches using Paintshop Pro or Adobe Photoshop, and make a real masterpiece. To help you archive all your photos, we have thrown in a CD writer, with which you could compile your photos.

Of course, you need a very precise pointing device (the mouse, duh!) so go for the best mouse you can find. Get yourself a digicam and you'll never need to use your Nikon or Olympus again. You can take the photographs on the digicam directly and transfer them to a PC, where you can do the final processing. The Dlink camera mentioned here does all that and even doubles up as a webcam for you to do a spicy video chat whenever you want to relax!

You are: Jack/Jane of all trades

Your perfect PC: A Compaq Presario 7000B5 with Intel Pentium III 1 GHz Processor, 128 MB RAM, 30 GB Hard Drive, 16x DVD Drive, Nvidia Riva TNT2 Graphics Card (with 16 MB VRAM), 56K Internal Modem, 8x4x32x CDRW Rewriter, Web cam, 38.1 cm (15) Monitor, Creative SoundBlaster Soundcard, JBL Platinum Speakers. Comes with Windows Me and bundled software.
Damages: Rs 86,300

On the lighter side: Vintron elixir @ home 3000 PC with 1 GHz Intel Pentium III Processor, 64 MB RAM, 20 GB Hard Drive, 50x-speed CD-ROM Drive, 3.5" Floppy Drive, Onboard Display, 17" Monitor, 56K Internal Modem, 109 Key Internet Keyboard, 240W Speakers, Internet Mouse (3-button).
Damages: Rs 46,495

Add-ons: APC BackUPS 500, Rs 5,200; HP DeskJet DJ640C, Rs 5,500; 64 MB RAM, Rs 1,400 Approx.OS Pick: Windows 98/Windows Me.

For the home user, the Compaq Presario is the perfect machine. If you want to do some high quality gaming, speedy browsing, video chat and watch movies, this is the deadliest combo on the market right now. With the CD Writer, you could also create your own Audio and Presentation CDs. On the lighter side, the Vintron elixir might look a bit unhip, but it can do all that the Compaq can, although at a slightly reduced quality. Add to it another 64 MB of memory and a good external graphics card-and it's a beauty.

The Building blocks