Bookshelf Set under 500

The audio engine A-5s sound great; you won't money for a sub but they go pretty low: http://audioengineusa.com/Store/Audioengine-5.   No you don't need a dac; your computer already has one.  A better dac will help with the sound quality but you could play your computer through the speakers (using the line out) and see what you think before investing in one.  I've listened to my share of speakers; these are really good for the price.  Btw, the A-5s come with all the cables you will need.

You could also get this bundle from nuforce: http://estore.nuforce.com/nuforce-icon-2-and-tangent-audio-evo-e5-bundle-sale/.  Pretty sweet, a dac/amp/headphone amp and speakers for $500.  You might find this works really well for your needs. 

The links aren't working but just check out the NuForce Icon-2 and Tangent-Audio EVO E5 Bundle Sale on the nuforce website.

They dropped the price $50 on the audio engines which is sweet.  I've had mine for over 2 years and they've seen a lot of use.  You won't go wrong with them.  Save the $200 for something else. 

I'd check out the outlaw M8 sub.  It runs $250 but if you go to outlaw's website and register for their Black Friday deals, it will set you back $175.  Hsu also makes very good subs for the money. 

Onkyo HTX-22HCX 2.1 system

Lots of inputs, optical, coaxial, HDMI

+1 if i were a student cautious for $$ i would seriously go used audio hardware and golden oldies/vintage amps still give out warm awesome sound paired with the right speakers 

If your laptop only has a headphone jack, you will need a dac, something like the Asus U3 DAC will do fine for a good line-out, the audio engines are overpriced hardly perfrom per there price tag, If you like the Tangent-Audio EVO E5 you can buy them seperatly and get a better amp for them, http://www.amazon.com/NuForce-Tangent-Audio-speakers-bundle/dp/B004QV8X1M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322156783&sr=8-1 , like this http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-DTA-100a-Class-T-Digital-Amplifier/dp/B004JK8BDK/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1322156965&sr=1-2 if you want to save desk space otherwise http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-APA150-Power-Amplifier/dp/B000VKXLBO/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1322156965&sr=1-3 , sub wise you might want something small if its for a dorm room like http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-SUB-80-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B000I7VQAS/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1322157022&sr=1-2 , http://www.amazon.com/Energy-ESW-C8-8-Inch-Subwoofer-Black/dp/B0021L9BMO/ref=sr_1_86?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1322157187&sr=1-86