The first basic component of a laptop is the CPU. The CPU is the brain of the laptop and serves to coordinate all the processing functions in the machine. The Intel Core 2 Duo is latest CPU to hit the market, but the Intel Penryn slated to take over the Core 2 Duo. So if you’re looking out for a new laptop, an Intel Penryn chip might be something you’d want to consider. However, do remember to pay for what you need –it’s not necessary to always go for the best CPU.

The RAM is the memory module in a laptop. You typically would need about 2 GB (at a minimum) to run the latest Windows Vista operating system. If you have too little RAM, expect your system to run at a crawl. The RAM in a laptop is also one of the best components for an upgrade – dollar for dollar, it affords you the best improvement in performance compared to other components.

A laptop should always be considered in terms of its design and weight as well. Unlike desktops, laptops are meant to be carried around. Hence, sleek and sexy ultraportable laptops models are useful if you move around a lot. If you work in harsh environments, then perhaps a rugged laptop is more up your alley.

Another basic component of a laptop is the laptop display screen. These days, laptop screens come in a variety of sizes, typically from 12 inches to 17 inches. There are now more and more widescreens in the market, measuring 18 inches or more. The size of a laptop screen really depends on your needs – if you play a lot of games, then you probably would want to invest in a bigger screen.

The graphics card is also a basic component of a laptop. You can choose from integrated or discrete graphics. Do take note that integrated graphics are built into the laptop motherboard and are usually slower than discrete graphics. Discrete graphics are more expensive an option compared to integrated graphics as they are run from a dedicated graphics card. However, they give a lot better graphics performance. There is a new technology built into the Intel Centrino 2 platform that actually allows you to switch between the integrated and discrete laptop graphics if you so choose.

The keyboard in a laptop must be responsive. You will hate to type on a keyboard with soft, non-responsive keys. You can choose either full-sized or reduced-sized keyboards, as well as backlit and non-backlit keyboards. My favorite kind of keyboard is a full-sized keyboard wrapped into a small laptop chassis – this can be found in ultraportable laptops like the Lenovo ThinkPad X61.

The ports and connectivity options in a laptop are definitely important. Do you get Bluetooth, USB, memory card reader or Firewire connectivity? Do you get HDMI ports for connection to a latest TV model? And for wireless connectivity, does your laptop support the latest standards like 802.11g or 802.11n? These are all important considerations in a laptop.

The hard drive is another basic component of a laptop. Hard drives are getting much larger these days as the cost per megabyte has come down drastically. You find hard drives that are 200 GB or more in many laptops in the market. The newer ultraportables like the Apple MacBook Air tend to have flash disks which have smaller capacity and are more expensive – but they run like speed demons due to in-memory access.

The optical drive is an important component in the laptop. Older models have CD-ROM drives, but newer models have DVD burners. The very latest ones contain Blu-ray drives. Note that you can omit an optical drive from a laptop to save on weight and cost if you so wish.

The last important component of a laptop we shall consider is the laptop battery. Try to choose a battery that lasts at least 3 hours. You can also consider buying an extra battery if you expect to be out on the road for extended periods. Remember to take care of your laptop battery – it is quite an expensive component.

If you’re a laptop newbie, do remember to understand the basic components of a laptop. This will prevent you from being cheated and you can also upgrade or customize components of your laptop with a lot more confidence.