I prefer desktops. Depending on your budget you can get a wide variety. I would recommend sticking with Dell/HP for desktops. Processor for desktop, my personal opinion: go for the cheaper AMD processors. My desktop

AMD Athlon II 2.8 Ghz
4GB ddr3 (prefer ddr3 type of ram cuz its newer and faster. Also look at how many more ram slots you got if u wanna expand in the future)
500gb hard drive (try for 1 tb if possible)
18.5" widescreen
Nvidia something graphics card (its integrated with 256mb ram, not terrible)
dvd rw+
webcam I'm planning to buy since it wasnt integrated into my monitor.

This setup is enuff for playing games, office productivity, photoshopping, code compiling :) I'm pretty happy with it.

If u want laptop, just beware of computer models with shitty batteries/motherboards. Like HP has some brands of laptop which have faulty motherboards so after some time the laptop doesnt boot cuz of motherboard failure. Also on some select dell models, they have faulty battery. But still i wud recommend dell (not all models). I recently helped my gf choose the Inspiron 15 (it comes in pretty colors too! ha!). One MOST important factor, i feel, about chosing a laptop is : NEVER GET AN AMD PROCESSOR!!! Those processors are cheap for a reason, they dont dissipate heat as effectively as intel based chips! Which means ur lapop will be really hot and might affect other hardware (melting etc). Desktops are fine with AMD cuz they have dedicated cooling fans, but laptops, NO NO. Get intel based laptop. Dell Inspiron 15 : D