“The type of work you do can affect the size and type of screen that works best for you. If you're not worried about graphics, a 12-14 "screen size is acceptable. If the work you're doing is graphically intensive, a 15-17" is best. Screen sizes range from 12 to 19 inches. A laptop with a smaller screen is a great option if you don't plan on using a laptop too much.

Upgrading from 256MB of RAM to 512MB of RAM will speed up your laptop. If your needs are somewhat mundane: email, spreadsheets, word processor, etc. 512 MB of RAM should suffice. RAM is for a computer what is the location of real estate.

You should also think about the hard drive of the laptop you are considering. The hard drive is also a very important specification to keep in mind when buying a laptop. The speed of a hard disk is normally calculated in rotations per minute. A hard drive of around 50 GB or more is a good rule of thumb.”