That is a little different. There are legitimate uses for a faster computer and larger hard drive. With fast downloads, there is little you need to download that is that large and is LEGAL to download. With a fast computer, it is perfectly legal to buy and play a LOT of games. I have over 400GB of hard drive space and I use it. I never uninstall games because I may eventually want to play it again without taking time to reinstall it. I have so many game CDs, it's rediculous.
Also, many games need faster computers. So, there is a legitimate use for a faster computer.
Now, as far as what a non-gamer needs (also a non-graphics designer and non-CAD person), you are correct that they do not need such a fast computer. A typical person in that category could get by perfectly well on a:
CPU: 1GHz
RAM: 256MB
Hard Drive: 20GB
Sound: Onboard
Video: Onboard
And, if XP isn't desired, the RAM can drop to 128MB. For someone in that category I listed, this is PLENTY. They really could get by with half that, but I'm offering a solution that offers quicker boot times and loading times for not really that much more. Of course, upgrading the hard drive to 40GB wouldn't be much more either.
But, that system wouldn't work well at all for modern gaming. Onboard anything in modern gaming is a bad option. Anything under 512MB 333MHz memory isn't good either (1GB 400MHz is better... just giving minimums). Also, a CPU should be 2GHz minimum for modern gaming (personally, I stand by AMD). And, hard drive space depends on how many programs/games you want installed at any given time. I'd say a modern gamer should have a minimum 120GB hard drive, though 80GB will be fine for a more casual gamer.
