Plan to use your laptop at home? You may want to get a desktop replacement packed with lots of features. If you want something less expensive, you can go with a midrange machine. Here are some common features to look for when choosing a home laptop:

A fast processor -
Intel Core Duo or Intel Core 2 Duo are good options. You can also try AMD Turion 64.
1 GB of memory -
You need at least this much memory to accommodate the latest software and productivity tools.
A large hard drive -
60 to 80 GB is standard for notebooks, but if you have lots of MP3s or photos to store, go for 120 GB.
A wide display -
Plan to watch videos or movies on your laptop? Get a screen that is at least 14.1 inches wide.
CD-RW/DVD burner -
Share, burn, backup, and transfer music, videos, photos, and more. Your burner should do it all.
Wireless, mobile broadband, and wired networking -
Enjoy flexibility. Your laptop should have wi-fi and wired capabilities.
Operating System -
Get the latest technology. Try Microsoft Vista Home Premium for PC, and Apple Mac OS X for Mac.

If you are a student with a limited budget, portability and cost are your concerns. Find a small, light, and rugged notebook that you can carry with you everywhere. Here are some common features to look for when choosing a student laptop:

A fast processor -
Intel Core Duo or Intel Core 2 Duo are good options. You can also try AMD Turion 64.
1 GB of memory -
You need at least this much memory to accommodate the latest software and productivity tools.
A large hard drive -
60 to 80 GB is standard for notebooks, but if you have lots of MP3s or photos to store, go for 120 GB.
CDVD burner -
Transfer files, share your work, backup reports. A powerful DVD burner is a must-have.
Wireless and wired networking -
EConnect to your classroom's wi-fi network or plug in at your dorm. You need both options.
Operating System -
Staying up to date is a good idea. Try Vista Home Premium for PC and Apple Mac OS X for Mac.

Professionals need a reliable laptop with serious features and maximum flexibility. Look for a high-performance, lightweight notebook that is fast and powerful. Here are some common features to look for when choosing a business laptop:

A high-end processor -
IMultitasking? Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Turion 64 X2 are ideal.
2 GB of memory -
1 GB may be enough now, but chances are you’ll have to upgrade later. Go for 2 GB and avoid the hassle.
80 to 120 GB hard drive -
80 GB is the absolute minimum. E-mail alone takes up a lot of space, and you’ll want room to grow.
A wide display -
Plan to watch videos or movies on your laptop? Get a screen that is at least 14.1 inches wide.
Dual layer DVD burner -
Time is money. A dual layer DVD burner lets you can transfer more media faster.
Wired, mobile broadband, and wireless networking -
Connect on the road, in the office, or at home. Your laptop should do it all.
Operating System -
Get maximum flexibility with Microsoft Vista Business Edition. For Mac users, try Apple Mac OS X.
Accessories -
Essentials include an extra battery and lots of DVDs for storage. You may also want to invest in a 2nd monitor.

Web designers, video editors, and gamers need a laptop that acts like a desktop. Power, speed, and storage space are key. Here are some common features to look for when choosing a multimedia laptop:

A high-end processor -
Inter Core 2 Extreme packs a lot of punch. You can also try AMD Turion 64 X2.
2 GB of memory or more -
2 GB is the recommended minimum. It is recommended you go for 3 GB or 4 GB to be safe.
A large display -
When visuals are important, get a screen you love to look at. Don't go for less than 15.4 inches.
120 GB hard drive or larger -
Get the biggest hard drive you can find. You are going to want as much space as possible.
CD-RW/DVD burner -
Share, burn, backup, and transfer music, videos, photos, and more. Your burner should do it all.
A wide display -
Share, burn, backup, and transfer music, videos, photos, and more. Your burner should do it all.
A graphics card with 256 MB of memory -
Get a card with 512 MB of memory if your software takes up a lot of memory.
Dual-layer DVD burner -
Burn and copy projects faster. You may need an HD-DVD or Blu-Ray burner depending what you do.
Accessories -
Get an external keyboard and mouse to enhance productivity, multimedia connectors, and headphones.
Operating System -
Mac users need Apple Mac OS X. Choose Microsoft Windows Vista Home Ultimate or Premium for PC.

The ongoing debate. Which is better, a PC or Mac? It is hard to say. It all depends on what you want to do with your computer, and which system feels more comfortable – and, no matter which system you prefer, it is a good idea to learn how to use both. If you are trying to decide between Mac and PC, here are some key points to consider:

PCs are popular. Most people know how to or have used a PC. PCs are frequently used in businesses and schools. Even if you prefer a Mac, you will likely have to use a PC at some point in your life or career.

Figuring out what software you need is a good starting point when trying to decide between a Mac and PC. Most software is designed to run on a PC because more people use PCs. Moreover, while many software programs are also available for Mac, there are limitations. What is more, even if there is a Mac version of a PC software program, it may not work as well or have the same features as its PC counterpart. A good example of this is Microsoft Word for Mac. The grammar check in the Mac version of Word pales in comparison to the PC version. Keep these things in mind when making your decision.

Macs run Windows, too. Wait, it gets more complicated. If you still want a Mac, but need to run PC programs, you can invest in something called Parallels Desktop for Mac, an innovative program that lets you run both Windows and Mac operating systems at the same time. This means a Mac computer complete with Parallels Desktop can do anything a PC can do - whether it does everything as well as a PC, that is for you to decide.

Apple fanatics swear that Macs are more stable, more intuitive, and easier to use. Apple users will tell you that Macs are less prone to viruses and malware attacks, have fewer bugs, and are less likely to crash than PCs. Still, what it really comes down to user experience, which is highly subjective. If you want to make a truly informed decision, you should spend some time using both a Mac and a PC to see which works best for you.

If you are a professional using your laptop for work, you should consider what industry you work in and where you see yourself in the future. Different industries use different technology. If you are a graphic designer, advertising executive, or media professional, chances are you will encounter more Macs in your line of work. If you are at IT technician at a major manufacturing corporation, you will likely work on more PCs.

If you are a beginner or an intermediate level user who needs a computer that is user-friendly, you may get more from a Mac – the setup is basic, the interface is simple, and navigation is uncomplicated. On the other hand, if you are a power user who wants to customize the inner-workings of your computer, you will need a PC. Macs may be fast and intuitive, but you cannot change how they operate. PCs may be a bit more complicated, but you can customize almost everything. Figure out what matters more – a Mac’s simplicity or a PC’s flexibility. This should help you decide what to buy.

There are a ton of laptop accessories out there. Most of them you don’t need.

Still not sure what to buy? Relax. We’ve put together a quick list of five essential must-haves every laptop owner needs to get you started.

  • Earbuds – Want music on the go? A sleek pair of earbuds are essential for easy listening
  • Wireless mouse – Give up the touchpad. A wireless mouse means more freedom and comfort
  • Battery adapter – Keep it going. Carry a battery adapter to plug-in and recharge wherever you are
  • Laptop case – Protect your investment. Find a stylish yet sturdy laptop case for everyday use
  • USB drive – Move files faster. Get a portable USB drive to share and copy data in a flash

Your new laptop will come with preinstalled software, but most likely, it will not have everything you need. To avoid paying for software you don’t want and minimize the cost of buying additional software individually, research the software you intend to use before purchasing a new machine. Make a wishlist of software you want, and then research laptops to see what programs come preinstalled. If you find one model that offers more of software from your wishlist than others, consider buying it. The laptop preloaded with more of the software you need may be a more expensive purchase, but buying additional software a la carte will cost more over time.

You can review the software categories below to figure out what you need:

Writing letters and reports, creating and balancing spreadsheets, designing presentations, building databases, and managing email. Both PCs and Macs usually offer a limited suite of preinstalled software to perform basic “office” functions. If you need more functionality, you can usually upgrade to a larger, more expensive suite or add software a la carte when you buy. Understand the differences among software before upgrading. If you upgrade to the “most popular” office suite to be safe, you may end up paying for software you don’t need. If you buy a laptop for its suite of preinstalled software without researching the specifications, you may find your new machine doesn’t serve your purposes. The bottom line? Think about your laptop’s intended use when researching your options – it will save you hassle and expense down the line.

Are you going to listen to music on your laptop, or produce it, too? Will you use your laptop to edit personal photos or design professional graphics? Will you be browsing the web or creating web pages? Answer these questions to determine whether you need to upgrade your laptop’s existing software package. PCs and Macs offer a variety of multimedia programs, from basic, preinstalled tools to advanced software you can purchase as an upgrade.

Antivirus and antispyware programs, firewalls, and privacy protection tools are crucial to the health of your computer. Whether you choose a PC or Mac will determine what you need. Most PCs come with preinstalled trial editions of the latest security software that require you to upgrade later to continue protection. However, if you get a Mac, you may not need to worry.

Using your computer to perform personal tasks such as filing your taxes, making personalized birthday cards, managing your finances, or keeping your address book up to date is a smart way to streamline your life. You can find a variety of tax preparation software, contact management programs, creative utilities, and personal finance tools to help manage your day-to-day life. Find a laptop with basic productivity tools preinstalled and determine whether this is enough. If you plan to install many additional programs, make sure your laptop has sufficient memory and hard drive space; if not, upgrade your memory and hard drive when you buy to save money.

Learning and playing games go hand in hand with having a computer. Whether you are studying a new language, trying to improve your grammar, or just want to relax and have some fun, there is a variety of educational and recreational software on the market. If you plan on installing games or learning tools, keep this in mind when purchasing your laptop and make sure your laptop has enough hard drive space and memory to run these additional programs.

Write e-mail, get directions, check balances, send photos, work on reports, and read the news. No matter what you use your laptop for, you need the flexibility to stay connected from anywhere. Luckily, most new laptops are equipped with all the latest connectivity options, from wi-fi to b to mobile broadband and wired networking. Figure out where you plan to use your laptop – and how you plan to connect. You may find you need wi-fi connectivity at the coffee shop, the ability to plug in to a LAN connection at home, and access a high-speed mobile broadband connection at work. Your laptop should do it all.

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