I've been playing vanilla MW for a while and I want to step into the world of mods, but I don't know about the popular ones. The primary thing I'm looking for is content, but with an emphasis on balance -- for example, I tried a mod that essentially allowed me to form a large party of adventurers, making the entire game a slice of cake. I'm not looking for graphical stuff, as I'm running MW on a fairly low-spec PC.

Thanks!

this should be moved into the MODS FORUMS..

Accident. Yes, this needs moved.

Just requested a move

Yeah, companions can make the game much easier than it already is. Did you try increasing the difficulty? Are you using the Morrowind Code patch? There are options in it that can make the game both more difficult and more balanced, besides fixing a ton of things and adding a ton more. Balance is very subjective, so if you tell us more about what you are searching for, we may be able to help. For now, try this. http://search.yacoby.net/

I know it's hard, but if you haven't finished the game once yet, I suggest doing so without mods that do anything more than fix bugs. Or at least, nothing that makes drastic changes. The more you know about Vanilla, the better you will know how you want to change it, in my opinion.

http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Mods.Detail&id=136072&id=5685

and

http://arcimaestroantares.webs.com/suggestedmods.htm

Balance, you say?

http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Mods.Detail&id=7904

Since your request is very vague, the best thing for you is to find the mods yourself.

BTB's link will help you re-balance the whole game (if that's what you want) and the ES Search link is great for finding what you want even if you don't know what the mod is called.

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1060141-mod-recommendations-for-new-players/page__p__15392814#entry15392814 - links to tools/patches that you'll need.
List of favourites, and how to locate mods of all sorts.