[thelist] Virtual private server vs. managed dedicated server

[Peter Van Dijck]

I'm looking for a host with some specific requirements and have a few 
questions:

- I don't think I want a VPS (Virtual Private Server) host, because, if 
I understand this correctly, on a VPS you have to manage security 
updates and such yourself. Is this correct?

- I need the usual Apache+PHP+MySQL. I absolutely need to be able to 
edit the httpd.conf file (htaccess is not enough).

- Apart from that, I'd like it as managed as possible.

- I want to spend something like $40-$140 a month.

- I will host a few domains on this, and would like an easy to use panel 
(like cPanel).

- I want to host a for-pay service on this, so reliability and support 
is important.

Any recommendations? What type of service should I go for, considering I 
do need httpd.conf access but I want minimum fuzz with the server 
(updates, ...). Maybe a managed dedicated server?

Cheers!
Peter