I just want a basic computer to do internet, data processing, and has some memory.?

The Athlon 64 3800+ is the basic component of how fast your computer will run. It is the name and brand of your Central Processing Unit, essentially the heart of the computer. 512 DDR2 memory is how much Random Access Memory or RAM you have. Basically the more the merrier and 512 is a good middle amount to have. 120GB hard drive is fairly large for the average data procesing, e-mail user. One around 40-60GB would be sufficient. It is basically how much storage space you have.

Reads and writes dual layer DVD's and CD's means it can burn anything you want onto a DVD or CD-Rom including movies and music. Dual layer just means that if you buy special DVD's, the burner can burn on both sides without you having to flip the DVD disc. Lightscribe disc labeling is essentially a computerized way to make CD and DVD labels using the computer burner. The same laser that burns your DVD's and CD's will burn a label on the cover as well.

1. The processor you mentioned is probably a 64-bit capable AMD processor. The "3800 +" is mostly marketing, as it doesn't run at 3.8 Ghz, but rather at about 3.3 Ghz. This processor is fine for data processing, internet, most games, etc...

2. 512 MB is the amount of RAM you have. It isn't the highest amount available, and isn't necessarily the best for games, but it isn't too bad.

3. Dual-layer refers to the way DVD store data - dual layer holds more than single-layer.

4. Lightscribe drives have the ability to draw simple pictures onto special CDs and DVDs.

5. A 120-GB hard drive refers to the amount of data you can hold on your hard drive. 120 GB is fine, provided that you do not have an expansive video collection.

The system you described should be more than adequate for the purposes you listed.

By the sounds of things, it's a HP or Compaq computer. Trust me, you don't want one of them. Why? I know of a school that bought around 50 new HP computers, and one of them had to be sent back after 7 days of use. HP and Compaq are the same company now.

I reccommend a Dell computer (www.dell.com or www.dell.co.uk or www.dell.com.au depending on where you live). Their systems start at US$349.

I whipped this sytem up using the cheapest system on the US Site. You would probably want something like this:

AMD Athlon 64 x2 3800+

Windows Vista Home Premium

17" ViewSonic LCD

1GB Memory

160GB Hard Drive

16x DVD+\-RW

Intergrated Graphics

Intergrated Audio

No TV Tuner

USb keyboard and Mouse (you can get ones with extra buttons on them for music and whatnot)

Media Card Reader

56K Modem

Dell AIO 926

Dell Speakers

PC-Cillin 15-month subscription

Works Suite 2006 (Word, Works, Encarta)

Roxio 9 Premium

Anything else that sounds good

This system costs around US$985 delivered.

Hope this helps!

If your not a hardcore gamer Mac Mini with IWorks 08 meets all of your specifications.