When new to the guitar, there are a few things you are going to absolutely need and and a few other things i would highly recommend.  Here are some common questions a lot of people have when first starting out and hopefully some helpful answers.

Should i get an acoustic or electric guitar?
     First off, a lot of people will tell you to start on an acoustic and then move to an electric down the road if you so choose.  i would actually tell you to get the guitar that is going to best play the kind of music you like.  I started when I was 13 years old and liked rock music.  I began on an electric and don't know if I would have stuck with it had I been on an acoustic because an acoustic was not ideal to my interests at the time.  After i played for a year or two, my interests in the guitar and music expanded and i purchased an acoustic guitar as well.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with staring on an electric or an acoustic so get what you think you will like the best! 

There are two main advantages to starting with an acoustic that come to mind.  First off, there is less equipment to buy to get started.  With an electric you will need an amplifier and cable in addition to the guitar.  The other advantage to an acoustic which could actually be viewed as a disadvantage as well is that the strings are a bit thicker and therefore harder to press down.  This will make your hand stronger but will also feel more difficult at first when compared to an electric with thinner strings.

How much should i spend on a guitar to start?

When beginning it is hard to know what to buy.  Guitars range in price from as little as $50 all the way to the multiple thousands.  I believe you tend to get what you pay for.  Yes, the $2000 guitar is quite an amazing instrument but is not necessary to get you going.  I usually tell people that if you buy from a reputable guitar shop, you will probably get something that is more than fine.  Definately stay away from the $50 special at your local walmart.  A good, beginning guitar is going to run you anywhere from $120 to $250.  Usually around the $200 range, there is a little bit of a jump in the quality.  At this point you might get what is called a solid top.  Basically the top piece of wood, which is the most important piece to the sound quality, is solid and offers a better sound that will improve with age.  Although this is not necessary you might decide it is worth it to you.

There are a few things to look for and consider when purchasing your first guitar.  The main thing we want is a guitar that is going to be as comfortable as possible when you are first learning.  One term we use to describe the playability of a guitar is the 'action' of the guitar.  This basically refers to how high the strings are from the fretboard of the guitar where you will be placing your fingers.  Ideally you want this as low as possible as to make pressing the string down easier.  If the action is high, it will be very difficult to press the strings down.  If it is too low, the guitar will not sound good as the strings will make a buzzing sound and certain notes might not sound at all if it is really bad.  It is normal to have a slight buzz from time to time especially if you strike the string hard but should not be buzzing all the time.  If you find a guitar you absolutely love, the action is usually adjustable but that is not really something you want to deal with when first staring out. 

When purchasing an electric guitar, the same basic ideas apply but also keep in mind you are going to need an amp and a cable so you might be spending around $300 for a decent guitar and amp.  You may be able to find something a little cheaper that will work fine.  A lot of stores will sell a 'starter pack' that gets you the guitar, amp, cable, picks, strap and even a tuner all for under $300.  I have seen some of these that are fine but keep in mind there is a reason why all of that is under $300.  Usually all the items are going to be fairly cheap but that doesn't mean it will not work for you.  As long as they work, the action is set properly, they should be fine to get you going.

What brand of guitar should i buy?

There is really no right answer here.  Its a lot like buying a car.  There are many good brands with different models in all differernt price ranges with comparable features.  There are people who love a specific brand for specific reasons but really there are many quality manufactures.  A guitar in that $150 to $300 range will offer similar features and quality from brand to brand when buying from a reputable guitar store.  Some names that come to mind in that price range are fender, ibanez, yamaha, peavey among others.  Check out some online stores to help get an idea.  You can usually sort the guitars by price or manufacturer.  Check out www.musiciansfriend.com, www.guitarcenter.com or www.sweetwater.com to get an idea of whats out there.

What else do i need?

There are a few other things you are really going to want when first starting out.  You will need a few picks.  They come in a variety of thicknesses, materials and even sizes.  You might want to get a few different ones to experiment with but if you are not sure, i usually tell people to start with a medium thickness and regular size and shape.  You can always go thicker or thinner but the medium is a good starting point and has been my experience with others that this is the most commonly used pick.  In fact i would say the 'fender medium' is the industry standard.

Get a tuner!  I am amazed at how many people do not get a tuner!  You need your guitar to be in tune at all times in order to sound good and develop your musical ear.  I would not have been able to tell if the strings were in tune or not when i first started and most people can't.  A good tuner will cost you anywhere from $15 to $25.  Stay away from the really cheap ones as they do not tune very accurately and can be difficult to use.  I usually tell people to get a chromatic tuner, which will usually cost you $5 or so more,  but this will prevent you from buying a new one down the road.  Some songs require you change the tuning of the guitar and this is where the chromatic tuner will be useful.

Lastly, get a metromone or drum machine.  One of the most overlooked aspects of music is keeping a good rhythm.  A metronome or drum machine will keep a steady beat for you to practice to.  Most people do not have great rhythm at first and this takes a lot of training to perfect.  A metronome will help tremendously.  I always tell people, you don't have to be the worlds greatest guitarist but if you know a few fundamentals and have a good sense of rhythm, you will sound fantastic!  There are also some great free metronomes and drum machines online.  Check out http://rinki.net/pekka/monkey/ for a good basic drum machine or try http://webmetronome.com/  You could also use a google search to find another one that suits you best.

Some other extras you may want is a strap, a guitar stand, and a good padded gig bag or hardshell case to protect your guitar during transport.