Questions about new Linux setups

[Jayson Smith]

Hi,

A few weeks ago my Linux box decided it would be a wonderful time to go to 
that great computer center in the sky. I was sitting here and the thing 
suddenly powered down, and won't power back up. Probably either a PSU or 
mobo blown. Time to upgrade anyhow, since I've had this box since 2005. 
Fortunately, when the Linux box went up to Linux box heaven, it didn't take 
the hard drive along for the ride, and I've already backed up all my data. I 
even have the same Linux system running on a less capable machine I had 
sitting around.

What I need to know is, what kinds of systems are people using these days 
for new Linux installs? I don't want to try to migrate my old system over to 
new hardware, since it was a hopelessly outdated Gentoo install. I probably 
wouldn't go with Gentoo again anyway. So what minimum hardware requirements, 
what distro? I'd love to play around with a GUI, but I absolutely can't 
stand Espeak! The GUY doesn't work with hardware synths, right? What about 
newer kernels and serial ports? If I do go with a GUI, is there any way to 
get Eloquence for it? Is anyone selling pre-built Linux systems for blind 
folks?
Thanks for any help!
Jayson