Any computer purchase must be rounded out with a decent printer. The way to go for home use is a color ink jet. Macs are considered easier to use and better for photo and graphic applications, but there is much less software available for them than for systems based on Microsoft Windows. Mac systems use their own processors, and they don't correspond to Intel and AMD clock speeds. Beyond that, Microsoft Works, Lotus Smartsuite or WordPerfect Office are good inexpensive starter programs.
Most systems come packaged with free Internet access, or the first month free.
They may fit a budget now, but they cost more over time. Keyboards, mice, speakers and sometimes printers are often rolled into the basic system cost. But if you have a gamer in the house, you'll want to add a joystick pretty quickly.