1. Raspberry Pi ($70)
2. USB Hub ($10-$20)
3. USB powered fan ($10)
4. ASIC miners, I ordered 2 Gekkoscience 2Pacs ($80ish each) but as far as I know you can get more so long as the USB hub can support them
I won't make much of anything with that setup, but I'm doing it more as a science project than anything... The good thing is the skills learned can be applied to future ventures.
Setup is pretty simple and there are tons of videos on youtube of how to set everything up. Currently, I have everything configured and cgminer (one of the programs used to mine) loaded up. Just need the 2pacs to finish up. There are support threads on here for the 2pacs and cgminer where research can be done and questions directed.
I'm not sure how good you are with computers in general, but even if you are somewhat savvy plan to spend multiple hours learning about everything.
Hope that answers at least some of your questions.
Cannot have the general home PC in mining purposes dude. I have inbuilt Graphics card nvidia 750 in it and tried to mine bitcoin with the nice hash miner but the mining speed is very slow with the personal computer but one of friend bought rig with the 6 cards it gives decent hash rate mine the coins.
As you said Youtube videos will give the better information since you do not know person in your location who can teach about the bitcoin.
My understanding is you don't need some crazy powerful computer to hook the ASIC miners into in order to start mining. Not sure if you were just making a generic comment or misunderstood what I wrote. Granted, a rig like the one I am building is probably not going to make tons of money, but it is certainly not mining with a basic home computer CPU/graphics card. As far as I have been able to find using ASIC miners with a Pi is a good way to learn about mining without spending these asinine amounts of money for Antminers on ebay.