It should be cool, with good zoom, good features, easy software, etc. Go for HP. It's price range is $130-$200 for a 5 MP camera. One with both digital and optical zoom would be priced a little higher. It produces good result. Go with the entry level cameras (or maybe a step above if you can afford it) from Canon, Nikon, Olympus or Kodak. HP makes ok printers and maybe computers, but their cameras are unimpressive.
Go to www.dpreview.com or www.stevesdigicams to research features and read reviews of many cameras.
Good luck! | 