Why do you want or need a laptop? The first question I would ask myself if I'm buying a laptop is to ask why. In many cases, some folks just buy a laptop because its the cool new toy to have, or to keep up with the Joneses. But if you have a perfectly functional desktop or a old but functional laptop, then do you still need one? Think about that before even beginning your quest for a new machine.
 

Why do you need a laptop?

The speed of a laptop is one of the most important factors you need to consider when making a purchase. These day, anything less than an Intel Centrio Core 2 Duo processor with 1 GB of RAM is not suitable for everyday use. The demands on speed are even more prevalent if you intend to do heavy computing tasks like video editing or gaming. So make speed one of the first things you check in a potential laptop purchase.

Next up, we should consider the display - does it meet your standards? If you intend to play games on the laptop, or use it for editing video and graphics, I would suggest getting a large and crisp display screen (at least 17 inches). If you're using it more for business, word prcoessing or emailing, then a smaller screen is fine.

The weight of the laptop is another prime consideration you should think about. Imagine lugging a 6 pound laptop all the way across campus or to a far away meeting room - not too pleasing a thought. If you're out and about a lot, get an ultraportable or a thin and light laptop. If you're sure you are not moving about a lot, then a desktop replacement laptop will suffice.

Who likes to have their laptops run out of juice in the middle of an important presentation? Or take lecture notes halfway and have the machine suddenly blank out? If you want to avoid these problems, make sure you have enough battery power. The best thing to do is to get a laptop with a long battery life. Failing which, you should at least pack an extra battery every time you don't have access to a power socket.

These days, most laptops have superb multimedia capabilities. Things like multiple USB ports, memory card slots and audio-video connections are almost standard fare on any new laptop out there. Make sure you check that these multimedia features are there before purchasing a model.

Increasingly, ergonomical laptops are beginning more important to the discerning laptop user. You don't want a laptop with a physical design which compromises your typing and sitting comfort. In particular, check that the keyboard and touch pad are easy to use and that you won't strain your fingers while typing.