Tech

so i'm a college graduate who is in the market for a new computer soon. the one i have i got in '00, so needless to say it's pretty far gone and doesn't meet my needs anymore. i'm familiar with PC's as well as Macs, but i have more experience on a PC (just saying i'm not against either).

i want to be able to do the common things; surf the web, use AIM, play mp3s, videos, etc, and i want to be able to run adobe photoshop and illustrator. that's the important thing, and i want to be able to run photoshop WHILE playing mp3s, chatting, etc... i don't want my computer to get bogged down. there's also a possibility of using music editing software in the future. i also have a minor pet peeve of switching out USBs all the time, the more ports the better (i could use at least 5 if i can find them)

i don't game, i don't plan on starting, but i do care about graphics from the standpoint of doing photo work and also the possiblity of doing some video editing (dreaming big though).

i have a scanner, printer, and photo printer all of which i am happy with, and speakers, so those are not a priority or even a concern. since i have all these things, should i be looking into buying a PC and monitor separately? (on the pc route) instead of a "package" which seems to want to give me a bunch of stuff i don't need?

if i can get this in a laptop that would be awesome but i know that gets pricey.

as for price, i'm willing to spend what i need to. obviously my needs don't require the top of the top, so just let me know what i'm getting into.

suggestions? thanks!

p.s. i'm surfing for possiblities as we speak, so i might be back with options i'm looking at, i just wanted to start here.

__________________
-Tim-

~I swear sometimes i feel like i'm married to a child.
~You better watch who you're calling a child, Lois, cause if i'm a child than you know what that makes you? a pedophile. and i'll be damned if i'm going to stand here and be lectured by a pervert.