Thanks for the details Coggy. At least I now know that my starting point should be able to cope with my more modest demands.
I am wondering whether to to up my budget a little and see what is available as I am thinking that a C2D of T5550 or above running at 1.8GHZ with 2GB of RAM might keep me going longer in the future. Boy!!!!! am I getting techy or what.
At this rate I will end up with a laptop the outstrips my main machine. LOL
add... I have just spotted a Samsung R60 at
Currys which seems to fit the bill and it's only £399.00 in their sale. Decisions, decisions.