If you are looking for a guide on how to buy a laptop computer, it may be because you are confused by the vast number of brands, models and features available. There is no need to be intimidated by the choices available among notebook computers.  With a little time and effort, you will be able to find just the right laptop for you.  This guide offers basic, practical advice that will help you focus on the most important aspects of laptops and set you on your way toward choosing and buying the best laptop for your needs and budget.

The first step on the road to buying a laptop computer that you will be happy with is determining what you plan to use the computer for and what you need your laptop to be able to do. For example, do you need your laptop to be able to run the latest office suite or will you be using your laptop primarily for surfing the Internet and sending e-mail? You have to be clear on your intended usage, including the software applications you want to be able to run, first and foremost.

With regard to software, most people are going to want some type of office suite, a web browser and an email client if your office software does not include one. Other popular applications include security suites, accounting or personal finance software and digital photo editing software. Most laptops include bundled software that may or may not suit all of your needs right out of the box so check to see which software programs if any come with the laptop. If you plan to install additional software or need your new laptop to be able to run a specific program, find out what the hardware requirements are for that software. Most software will state the minimum hardware requirements as well as a recommended set of hardware specifications. Make sure the laptop you are considering can run all of the software you need and aim for the recommended values rather than the minimum.

The operating system (OS) is the most important piece of software. Whether you choose the latest flavor of the Windows, Mac or Linux operating system is going to depend on the other applications you need to run and perhaps personal preference if the software you need can be run on more than one operating system. If you need to be able to run certain programs, that may limit your choice of OS. Make sure the software you wish to use can run on your chosen operating system.

After you have evaluated and determined your software needs, the three biggest considerations in terms of laptop hardware are the processor, the memory (RAM) and the hard drive space. A fast processor ensures that you will not only be able to run the programs you need to today, but also in the future when newer versions of your software or new programs are released. If you cannot afford the latest or fastest processor, get as much memory as you can which will improve performance. Your hard drive is where all of your programs and files are stored so add up all of the hard drive space requirements of your intended software and plan on getting a hard drive at least twice the size of the total you came up with. If you plan on storing videos, pictures, music or other large files on your laptop, get the biggest, fastest hard drive you can afford as these things take up a lot of space and you may regret having to delete them if you run out of room.

In terms of laptop specific considerations, weight, display and battery life are the three of the most common concerns. Weight is a concern if you travel frequently or plan to take your laptop with you for school, work or convenience. Smaller laptops do often have drawbacks however. The smallest, lightest laptops may cost more or sacrifice features for portability. Laptop displays come in many different sizes. Larger displays add to weight and sometimes cost, but if your laptop is rarely going to leave the house then a laptop with a big screen might be perfect for you. Battery life is the one aspect of laptops that despite all of the advances in technology is the least satisfying. You should be able to get three to four hours out of your battery, possibly more or less depending on usage. Again, if your laptop will not leave the house much then battery life is much less of a concern, but if you foresee yourself using the laptop in locations where an electrical outlet might not be available then compare the stated battery life of any laptop you are thinking about buying.

Understanding how to buy a laptop starts with determining your needs. Know what software applications you intend to run and their hardware requirements. Often the best deals on laptops are had online, but if you are going to purchase a laptop from an online retailer, you should know exactly what you are looking for. Buying the right laptop for you is not hard if you take your time and compare various models against your needs.