I always point beginners in hydro in the direction of the Emily's Garden. I started with one, and I'm using one now. It's a very simple DWC, and it produces some amazing results compared to dirt farming. Search it, then buy it for $85 or build one for $35.

And if you don't know what DWC is yet, I'd say you need to read up more on the basic grow styles of hydro.

The essentials?

Greg Green's MJ Bible, available for free via a link on this forum
A good light
Good Ventilation for the light
A couple of small fans
Veg nutes
Bud nutes
Emily's Garden
A PH meter - not strips
A PPM (AKA EC) meter, once you get serious
A couple of timers
A clone preferably, or some seeds.