Well, the real problem is not that it doesn't have online capabilities, but that unless your CPU is 5ghz or better (probably closer to 7ghz), you won't be getting Dolphin to run at playable speeds. Please check out
the FAQ for more useful information that's frequently asked by new users.
If you came here to play GC games on your computer, I'm sorry, but you came to the wrong place. There's no emulator currently available that can run GC games stably, and at playable speeds. You'll either have to wait, or buy a Gamecube. I've heard that at some places, they're as cheap as buying a game for the Xbox 360. I garantee tha's cheaper than buying a PC that's fast enough to actually play GC games. Hopefully, this price is low enough for you.
Or, you could do what some of the other people on this board are doing. Wait a month or 3, and buy the Wii when it comes out, since it's backwords compatible. And, being less than $250 is really good, especially when compared to the prices of the other systems that are, or will be, out. Considering that I've never heard bad comments from those who have acutally *used* the console themself, I'd say that might be the way to go. Especially considering that, even the guy who *HATED* the Wii, changed his mind, once Nintendo sent him a devkit. That's got ot be worth somethng, doesn't it? Mouser X over and out.