Suggestions Please: On buying a new editing system
 

I've got a friend whose got 2K to spend on an editing system. I know it's not much, but what suggestions does anyone have please?

Does he need to get everything with that 2K, meaning computer, monitor, software ect.? I have an HP with Pentium 4 2.60 ghz processor, upgraded 1 gig of ram (it came with 512), 120 internal harddrive, 80 gig external harddrive and Premiere Pro 1.5. I spent under 2k for all of that and it seems to work for me. I bought the computer about 2 years ago and spent just about $1,200 on it so now you could probably get one with those same specs for almost half that. The only thing I'd really like to do right now is upgrade my processor and maybe add another monitor.

I have similar system to Jesse, however...
 

when I do complicated editing (ie blurs, video effects, etc) that I have problems with burning and "serious errors". My thought is that i need a dedicated editing system with Matrox card...

Something you might want to consider depending on how complicated the editing will be.

I had a friend looking for a system and only had $1200. We got a Dual Core Pentium(2.8GHz each core) with 1GB and a 250GB SATA II drive for $829 + tax. Added another 250GB hard drive and a UPS. We already had all the software we needed.

We bought the system at MICRO CENTER. It was their in house brand, a Powerspec. Reason why we didn't spring for a brand name computer was because MICRO CENTER has an in house repair center and I was tired of repairing the system I built for him to edit on originally. This was my way of liberating myself from him. :)

Everyone who's ever built computers for family or friends can relate!

Sounds like he got a nice system, wanna trade?

This might not be right since all prices are in CDN dollars but here it goes. My computer is a Dual Core 3.0 Ghz processor, 1GB DDR2 Ram, 250GB hard drive, 128MB ATI graphics card, Soundblaster 7.1 Wi-Fi sound card, and a 19" Flat Panel Monitor for about $1600. I also have a 250GB external hard drive that was about $270. This is for a Dell Deimesion 5150.

Editing software is still in the purchase stage. I think I'll just wait till I get into a school so i can get the Academic discount since I don't really have enough money for Premiere.

Edit* Sorry for the bump.