Need new PC. Suggestions?

Unfortunately, my neighbors 2007 HP desktop was destroyed in an accident, so they are now in need of a new (or used) PC.

Thanks to me, they are already familiar with using gnome and gnu/linux for years. They just are in need of a replacement computer.

It will be used for paying bills, doing taxes once a year, and transferring camera pictures , scans, backing up family photos/documents to multiple 2.5 and 3.5 drives...

We've been having issues with multiple SATA to USB converters failing during long file transfers, so Ideally this computer would have multiple IDE, SATA, or M2 ports for OS and backups. Or atleast a reliable SATA to USB adapter with free firmware.

Any good suggestions that follow FSF principles?

It looks like a used Core 2 Thinkpad is the most polished option right now. But only supports 2 hard disks.

Let me know what to buy. Thank you!