As I reported in the news forum earlier, my computer died tonight and I will have to acquire a new one - considering my line of work and the preparations for AAEurope (which are mostly unaffected by the crash), I can't survive without a computer for particularly long.

So, say that I want to spend money on a "standard/mid-range" computer - not some cheap budget solution, but not something overly expensive either (I don't use it for anything more demanding than Desktop Publishing work and playing The Sims 2 + Civilization IV), perhaps with a maximum price of 500-600 euro, what type of setup should I go for?
What type of processor (I have relied on AMD recently), how much memory, and what type of graphics card? Anything else that I need to know?

AMD is usually the budget choice, but I think Intel Core i3 could be just as good. At least 2-4 GB of RAM is the norm now and the graphics cards in the below box solutions should be more than capable of handling Sims 2 and CIV 4.

Here is an HP from dustinhome.se:

HP Pavilion S5-1010 CI3

Here is a link to Dell's website with a number of PC's based on the Intel Core i5 and AMD graphics cards:

Dell PC's

Are you looking specifically for a desktop computer, a laptop or are both an option? From what you mentioned that you need to be able to do with it I believe you should be able to get quite descent computers from both categories for well under €500.

Speaking from my own experience, I've had zero performance problems with the Pentium Dual-Core processor in my laptop. As far as memory goes, you should be fine with 2-4gb and unless you intend to branch out into newer, more graphically intense games anytime soon, any decent video-card should do.

Taking a quick look, I'd recommend either the ASUS X53U-SX123V, which seems to be a quite good laptop for the price, and in my experience Asus is very high quality. Or if you want a simple, complete desktop, the Packard Bell iMedia I5841 NC seems like it's a decent work computer for the price. Though I'm not familiar with Packard Bells' computers.

Thanks for the advice! I will have a closer look at the options later on when I have more time. I asked the stamp firm's hardware supplier/IT guru, and he talked about i3 as well, together with the i5.

Desktop or laptop... I think I'm mainly looking for a desktop, especially since I assume that they are slightly cheaper, although I have been thinking about acquiring a laptop as well. I think I would be worried about losing the desktop or having it stolen though, so maybe not as a primary computer.

Generally I don't recommed buying desktop pcs if you know how to build them yourself.
I've build my own pcs for the last 10 years since you get more power for the cash.
Else check out komplett.se and look for a core i5 2500k based pc with minimum 4gb ram and minimum geforce gtx 560 or radeon hd 6850 graphicscard

That is what I usually do - I've built my last two computers myself, and have also built one each for my two brothers. This time however I don't think I can be bothered to do it - it takes too much time to read up on the specs, acquire the parts and to build the darned thing. Plus that I can't take the risk that I mess something up during the construction (always a certain risk of that) this time. So I think I'll take the easy route and purchase the new machine.

New computer ordered, should arrive on Monday or Tuesday. After taking in my job's IT guy's recommendations, I decided to go with an i5 (quad-core or whatever the proper term is) with 8 GB of RAM memory but only Windows XP (my own copy) installed, which means that the OS won't be able to utilize more than 3,5-4 GB until I upgrade the OS. But when that day comes the hardware will be prepared to handle that OS, that was our reasoning for this slightly curious setup (the other alternative was Windows 7 Home edition and an Intel Core i3, but then neither spec would be optimal - the i3 is only dual-core, and when I eventually upgrade to Windows 7 I will probably go directly for the Professional edition).

I think I get a hard drive of about 500 GB (which I believe is a tad on the small side today?, but quite sufficient for my purposes for now), and I have asked for a graphics card as well - nothing exceptional, just enough so that I can play games without having to rely on integrated graphics. A DVD writer is also included in the setup, but I assume that's standard today and not even worth mentioning.

Thanks for the advice, everyone! Even though it may sound like I only needed the IT guy's recommendations, it was helpful having your opinions on a reasonable setup when I talked to him.