I dunno if i agree with getting a powerful computer when just starting out. I'd say buy a cheap-ass second-hand one for say £150-250 and use that until he outgroes it. Problem with getting a fat computer is say, 1 year down the line when he's really starting to use the potential of the computer it will be out of date. Worse still, if he doesn't think its his thing he's just spent a hell of a lot of money. I'd say the same for speakers. Although the difference between cheap PC speakers and expensive monitors is vastly significant, at this stage its negilble in the beginning IMO. I'm saying this based on my own experience so I'm sure everyone does things differently so do what you thinks best.