Sooner or later we are all going to do it, go out and buy a new laptop computer. There are hundreds of different types and styles of laptops to choose from and not all computers are right for all people. Because of this, there are some serious choices that have to be made. To get the best computer for your needs with the proper specs, you have to know what to look for. You need to learn as much as you can about how to buy a laptop computer - before you buy anything.

Buying a laptop can be as complicated as making any other major purchase and you need to make an informed decision when you are ready to buy. If this is your first computer, you may not need all of the extras that are needed by someone who is going to work from home printing and downloading documents everyday. There are several key features and specs that you need to look for.

What are specs - The specs are the central processing unit (CPU), the hard drive and the random access memory (RAM) of the computer. These three determine the speed, power and capabilities. The screen size and coating, optical bays and optical drives are all necessary and the particulars of each of these determine if the laptop is equipped with enough amenities> to make it worth buying. http://techtips.kserver.net/education/computer_specs.html

The processor - A dual-core processor from Intel is essential if you want your computer to have adequate power. A dual core processing unit that can support 64-bit applications are most desirable, as more and more compatible applications become available to the public.

Hard drive - The average computer comes with at least a 60GB hard-drive and the more expensive laptops come with faster and lighter-weight, solid-state drives but the capabilities of the solid-state drives are only around 128GB.

The weight - You can find a very good laptop computer that weigh in at three pounds. This weight does not include the AC adapter, battery, plug-ins and other additions. Some of the less expensive computers can weigh as much as 10 to 15 pounds. If you plan to carry your laptop around with you everyday, choose a lighter weigh model so that you will be more comfortable. http://www.pcworld.com/article/125647-2/how_to_buy_a_laptop.html

USB Ports - Check to see if your laptop has two or more USB ports so that you can plug in multiple peripherals. This will help you enjoy your new computer much more.

The keyboard - If you buy one of the laptops that are meant to replace your desktop computer, you will have a keyboard with bigger, broader keys. On the small laptop computer keyboard, the placement of items on the keyboard may be different than what you are accustomed to. http://www.pcworld.com/article/125647-4/how_to_buy_a_laptop.html

Memory - You can find laptops with 3GB of random access memory (RAM) and 2GB is available on even the lowest priced computers. The more memory your laptop has, the more programs you can have open at the same time, without freezing or crashing your computer.

The battery - You don't want to have to buy a new laptop battery every few months, they can be very expensive. According to recent tests, the average life the new and improved batteries are three and a half hours up to six hours per full charge. When you buy a computer, check to see if the test were done on a regular battery or on long-life batteries.

Screen size - There are different screen sizes to choose from and you can decide the best one for you. If you want to watch a lot of movies and you work with several windows open, side by side, you may prefer a 16 or 17 inch screen. You can find screens as wide as 20 inches on the high-end models. An inexpensive netbook has a screen as small as 10.2 inches wide up to 13.3 inches. http://www.pcworld.com/article/125647-2/how_to_buy_a_laptop.html

These are some of the most important parts of the laptop to consider. If you are a professional conducting business, a student who will need to have your laptop with you most of the day or if you will use it just to surf the web and play games, you should know which laptop is the right one for you.

There are minimum requirements that you need to look for when you choose your laptop or you will definitely wish that you had chosen another computer. You can look at hundreds of computers with dozens of different specifications and you really don't have the time to take a close look at all of them and compare prices, specs and name brands before you can buy what is best for your needs.

You can get a brand new Acer Netbook computer for around $299.00, these are not very powerful but, they may be ideal for a college student or as your first computer. The Acer usually come with a 15 inch screen that is a good size to play a few games, view movies and videos.

If you like to play games or if you are a video editor, a graphics designer, photographer or someone who will put a heavy graphics on your computer, you should look for a laptop with a dual-core processor, gaming laptops are the best kind to look for. They cost a little more but, it will be worth it when you are able to work and play on a laptop that does not crash every time you open several applications.

How about a Mac computer? The Macbook has easy to understand programs it does not have the problems that the PC laptops are known for. There is video, photo and music editing software make it number one choice for artists and non-artists everywhere. This is the best looking of them all because of the clever design and aluminum sides.http://www.laptopadvisor.com/laptop-advisors-holiday-buyers-guide.html#more-351

Choosing your business laptop will mean more requirements and probably a bigger budget that will afford you the programs and memory you will need. If you choose a small inexpensive computer for your business needs, you will spend a lot of your time waiting for a crashed computer to come back to life. Expect to spend a little more to get the power, software and programs you are going to need.http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2346880,00.asp

You will need to go shopping around before you buy your laptop and the Internet can make it a little easier. You can go to the web site of the major retailers and look at their selection of discounted laptop computers. You can find some Internet only bargains that can give you a laptop for an impressive price.

When is the best time to buy a computer? - Almost anytime is the best time to buy your laptop because you can always find a sale with a discount on a computer that will meet your needs. The year end after Christmas sales are best to find sales and if you want to claim a large tax deduction when you file your claim. You can find unbelievable deals when a new laptop is introduced to replace an existing model. The replaced laptop will have drastic price reductions to get them moving off of the shelves. You just have to look for the computer you need at a price you can afford.

When you find the make and model of a laptop you want to buy, check to see when they are releasing a newer model and if the release date is soon enough for you, buy yours when the new model is released. Most computer companies will release upgraded and new models on a slightly regular schedule and if you follow the trends, you can almost predict when a new computer is on the way to the stores. http://www.pcworld.com/article/140615/when_to_buy_a_laptop.html

Back to school deals are a great time to get some of the best prices of the year, especially right after school has started. You can find slashed prices and rebates on several brands and styles of laptop computers. You can find deals at Best Buy, Walmart and most of the computer retailers on the Internet and at local electronic stores. If you need a computer before you start classes, look for discontinued models that are offering a rebate and a discounted price. You can buy a good computer and possibly save hundreds of dollars compared to buying the newly released models. http://www.pcworld.com/article/122129/good_time_to_buy_a_lowend_laptop.html

When you have looked at several computer makes and models, you can buy a computer online or at a store near you. Either way you decide to go, you can find the ideal computer at the right price for you, with all of the extras you need to have. If you are looking for a sale price, don't expect to get the model that just hit the store shelves, instead, you have to look for discontinued models that have the specs you require.

Look for one of the netbooks that meet your needs, if your budget is small and you do not need a lot of memory for heavy graphics and multiple applications. You will be able to find a wide range of prices that are affordable and with a screen width that is great for watching movies, doing your homework and other activities.

New Apple iPad - This may be the ideal option for you if you want to surf the web, watch movies and check your latest email on a clear, crisp Multi-Touch screen. The 9.7 inch LED display screen is big enough to clearly show you detailed graphics, and any of the 140,000 apps included, for your enjoyment. The Apple iPad is the latest new gadget to hit the market with a bang and a price tag of only $499.00. http://www.apple.com/ipad/

Check for the built-in wireless options. Connecting to the Internet should be as easy as pressing a conveniently located button. Look for different options that allow you to connect to the Internet. Some computers even include a Bluetooth card or a cellular antenna built into the computer that allow you to go online via a 3G network, for a monthly fee.

If you want to be able to burn CDs, you will need to make sure the laptop has an HD-HVD drive and a DVD burner built in. Some of the more expensive laptops come with the Blu-Ray drive but some of the slim, light-weight computers do not have an internal optical drive at all. http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/reviews/4216080.html