I have x1 producer and will likely upgrade to X2 . can anyone suggest a computer that would run either of these that costs 500 to 700 dollars? I normally only record one voice at a time. and its just for me goofing around. nothing serious.any suggestions are appreciated thanks

http://www.adkproaudio.com/choose2.asp This site makes gear you should review.

+1 to ADK! Slightly higher than your target expense, but their stuff is solid.

im not sure you can buy a computer from adk that's going to be anything less than a grand.
are you handy at building your own ?
you can build a nice computer for around 600 bucks that will run sonar x2 really nice.
a 6 core amd phenom 2 / 8 gigs of ram / a mobo,ram,cpu combo is like under 200 bucks.
Intel will set you back in price, I use both but find little difference besides occasional loading times.
 a cheap video card like an entry level NVidia with dual DVI monitors
so you can run 2 monitors will cost about 60 bucks.
a silent case 100.00
shock mount silent fans,25 bucks.
and the hd another 100.00 (a Solid State Drives (SSD)
watch a few of these vids and see if its something you think you can do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0TVqlgQeto

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br-hkfdPYy4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8LlaZTSXRc

I've built many of these daw's that run great running sonar, both x1 and x2.
as well as Cubase, ableton live and other daw's.

Or if you want you can contact Jim Roseberry (studioCat) who is a regular on this forum. He is not only a SONAR user and member of this forum but he's a professional DAW builder.
He'll provide you with a parts list for a build it yourself DAW. He will have already used the recommended components in builds for his clients so knows that they go together and work reliably. He'll even provide the links to local suppliers if you're in the US.
Jim charges a modest fee for this service but you know you get top information and he will offer some limited support by way of email so you can ask questions. When I first did this he even supplied me download links to a variety of software and explained various testing and setup procedures.

+ 1 on the suggestions above, but I think all of them are out of your price range.  And building a computer - well, if you can do it you can save some big money.

For a computer and recording novice just buy the best computer you can.  I've had success w/ SONY and HP.  Both put extraneous programs but you can just delete those or leave 'em on - most computers today aren't slowed by them.
 
Get a desktop and buy a second hard drive for it.  These are easy to install.  Run SONAR from C: drive and stream your music from the 2nd hard drive  That is the most important upgrade you can do. 

The other thing to budget for is a music interface.  You'll be much happier w/ a slower computer using a proper interface than a faster computer using the onboard card, which is next to useless for music.

Later, if you want, you can upgrade the computer and install all the extra hardware in it - video card for two monitors, extra drive, etc.

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Thanks everyone for your ideas.I have built computers in the past, but wasn't planning on it this time around.I am considering all your suggestions. your time is appreciated. Ive been concentrating on other arts but am refocusing on my music and I didn't want to buy something and be unsatisfied ,,,,thanks again

+1 to Chuckebaby.
Kaylen, I just finished my first build.
I went a little over your budget but I did it over a few weeks so I didn't have to come up with all the money in one shot.

Once I had all the components, I had it all assembled and up and running with OS installed in a few hours.

Mike   

http://www.rme-audio.de/f../viewtopic.php?id=12491 I liked this link for general info, although it was a little old. These DAW builders are mentioned in the article. ADK, Rain or PC Audio Labs

gswitz


http://www.rme-audio.de/forum/viewtopic.php?id=12491 I liked this link for general info, although it was a little old. These DAW builders are mentioned in the article. ADK, Rain or PC Audio Labs

Small world. The author of that article, Chris Ludwig, is the ADK rep that I ordered my system through. Even though I'm in electronics, I decided to have them build me a system. Just don't have the time, and when I do I'd rather being playing!
 
Walt