General Opinions Wanted!

[Pontifex Maximus]

I can afford a new computer now, ($2,000 cap) with a few conditions. I will not build my own, I don't know enough about computers, and I need it to be multipurpose for a variety of reasons. It would also be very foolish of me to go forward without asking opinions here first.

three options:

#1

#2

#3 (I like this one the best)

[Freddie]

Just to make you aware none of those are suitable for gaming but if your looking for all in one compact design to save space there perfectly fine (although a laptop might be a better choice if that's your concern). The only real hardware change in any of those models is the CPU and you see the comparisons between all 3 here, the Sony one featuring the Core i7 is a lot quicker but only if you going to be using it for CPU intensive tasks like modelling and video encoding. If your using it for mostly work and writing reports get the cheapest one, the Sony has the best GPU for games but that's a mute point since its not very good anyway and will only leave you disappointed IMO.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

On a subjective note I looked at a couple of these all in ones for my Dad a little while ago and I have to say they were very noisy.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Why would the be unsuitable for gaming? I don't need the mega ultra of everything, but considering that my current setup cannot be upgraded in any way because it is a god awful Dell (AMD Athlon 64x2 dual core 4400+ 2.30 GHz, 32 bit OS and 2.00 GB of RAM) wouldn't it be a considerable upgrade? Gaming doesn't break my decision to go with one of the three, but it would make a difference in what I would be willing to spend. If you're saying the cheapest one is pretty much the same as the most expensive one that's something to be considered =/

[mrmouth]

The Sony is the best of the bunch if you are doing entry-mid level graphics work, etc. You can play today's games on it but it will be underwhelming to the point you might be better off with what you have now. You didn't list your video card so it is hard to say.

The other two would be great for basic PC stuff. Actually they are overbuilt for that. You could easily be doing basic PC stuff on your Dell.

And even more than that, you are almost certainly going to find yourself in the same situation you are in right now with the Dell, in that I'm almost certain that they are highly proprietary.

[Pontifex Maximus]

You didn't list your video card so it is hard to say.

I'm so computer illiterate I can't even find in my system info what I have. Suffice it to say it is awful, barely capable of running any games older than 2008. ETW doesn't work at all and forget S2TW. (and the hardware can't be upgraded, thanks Dell)

Ok, I might be completely wrong but this sounds like a graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE