Get a Dell, they tend to be extremely reliable and quite well built. 30 seconds later: http://www.dell.com/uk/p/inspiron-620/pd?oc=d006211&model_id=inspiron-620 Unless you're gaming this will be fine.
I see no problem here? The "It's alive!" after building a computer is a good one, especially first time through. Plus, as we all know, we have cheesecake. The uninitiated do not
Like others have been saying depends what you are wanting to do with it, laptops are great for running around with and you can always get a screen if you dislike looking down at the laptop screen all the time (like me). If you are wanting to play games and other demanding things I would go desktop. I personal dislike Dell machines, I have owned a Dell desktop and currently have a Dell laptop. Never again.