Choosing a great computer doesn't have to be a difficult endeavor. It takes a little amount of time and knowing what to look for. The choices may seem overwhelming with the different brands and all of the different components. So, let's simplify the process by breaking things down and look at the major parts:
Brand Name
The brand name of a PC isn't what I consider a super important decision, however it IS important in my opinion to choose one that is a known brand. The known brands are able to spend the money on researching the different components and have an interest having parts that work well together in order to avoid undesired support costs.
Operating System
Your computers Operating System (OS) is the framework that all of your applications such as photo editors, word processors, web browsers, and games run on. PCs recommended on this site use the Windows OS. Other operating systems are either super techie (Linux), too niche & overpriced (Mac's), or too basic and full of future disappointment when you want to run some software only to find out that your computer won't support it (ChromeOS).
Processor
A computer's processor is one of the three main components that will affect both the speed and longevity of your new PC. There are two main competitors in the processor space, Intel and AMD. Both are reasonable choices for your processing needs, but there are a couple of guidelines I suggest. First, stay in the business class line of processors. For Intel, this is the core i series. For AMD, it is the Ryzen line of processors. Both flavors offer a series based on the higher the number, the faster (and more expensive) the processor (look for one starting with a number 5 or higher, and find out what the current generation is and look for a processor 2-3 generations older). I would personally recommend staying away from the Celeron and Pentium lines on the Intel side, and stay away from the Athalon line on the AMD side.
Memory
Memory in a PC will determine how much your computer can 'think' about at one time. As the technology advances in newer operating systems, so does the underlying need for a base starting point in memory. Although Windows minimum currently is 4GB, I would currently consider 8GB a minimum if you wish to purchase a PC that will give you a good lifetime.
Hard Drive
The hard drive in a computer is like a basket that will hold all of your programs and files. The bigger the hard drive, the more pictures, videos, programs your computer will be able to store. Once a hard drive fills up, your computer will become very slow and you will no longer be able to save anything new. To keep a computer running normally, you will want to keep about a 10GB buffer of free space at all times. Most new computers now come with solid state drives (SSD). If you are looking at a desktop or laptop that has a hard drive that talks about how many rpm's it has, you need to keep looking until you find one that is solid state.
Display and Peripherals
Displays in a computer are fairly standard. For a laptop, I would not consider anything smaller than 15 inches (this is measured diagonally). Most people will prefer that their full size desktop displays to be 23" or more. Touchscreens are marketed as a luxury convenience, but in my experience, they are rarely used. Something else to consider is the number and types of ports available. There are external hubs that can be used to easily expand the number of ports available, however if this is a laptop that will be moved frequently, you may want to take some time to consider what you will be plugging into it. I also personally look for laptop keyboards that include a number keypad. The type of mouse and keyboard on desktops are typically irrelevant, as they are low cost items that can easily be replaced at any time.
The Bottom Line
Armed with a basic understanding of the different components on a computer and what the recommended system requirements are will allow you to quickly filter through the plethora of available systems. Some people who have specialized needs such as video editors and gamers will require a separate video processor as well as a higher amount of storage space. Find out what the requirements are if you are doing something specific with your PC and you will save yourself from some disappointment.
