Ask ten experienced observers what a beginner should buy and eight will say the same thing. This page is that recommendation, the reasoning behind it, and the two situations where it is the wrong answer, because both of those exist and matter.
The usual answer, and why
A dobsonian reflector of the largest aperture you will carry outside. It puts almost the whole budget into the mirror, the base is steadier than any tripod at the price, there is nothing to align before you start, and there is essentially nothing to go wrong. In this index a 130mm tabletop model prints $305.00, which is where most of these recommendations land.
Why not a computerised telescope
Because the motors and electronics cost about half the aperture at the same price, and aperture is what shows you things. A goto instrument will drive accurately to a galaxy and then show you a fainter smudge than the dobsonian would. If finding objects is your specific obstacle that trade is worth it; otherwise it is not.
The first situation where the usual answer is wrong
If nothing can be stored or carried, a small refractor or maksutov that lives in a cupboard and works in two minutes will be used more, and a used instrument beats an unused better one every time. The printed floor here is $79.95 for a real 76mm instrument, which is a genuine telescope by any standard.
The second: if you want to photograph
Then the mount comes first, the telescope second, and a dobsonian is the wrong purchase because it does not track. Decide this before buying rather than after, because it is the most expensive change of mind available on this shelf and almost nobody makes it cheaply.
Questions people ask about telescope
What is the best telescope for a beginner?
A dobsonian reflector, as large as you will carry outside. In this index that starts at $305.00 for a 130mm tabletop instrument.
Is a good beginner telescope expensive?
No. The printed floor here is $79.95 for a real 76mm reflector, and $305.00 buys an instrument that shows deep sky objects convincingly.
Should a beginner buy a goto telescope?
Only if finding objects is the specific obstacle. Otherwise the same money in aperture shows more.