If you’re in the market for a new computer, it’s important to know what you need and how to express it correctly. Walking into a store with the color and size you prefer will leave you lost in the midst of laptops and notebooks. Before you hit the stores, be sure you know what you want and how to say it.

Basic Features

All laptops, regardless of price or brand have similar basic features. From creating documents to battery life, you’re going to see something similar across the board. However, it’s important that you are able to break down those basic features in to a digestible list to assess what it is you need.

*       Processor: The processor you have will directly equate to the sped of your laptop. The Intel dual core processor, found in a variety of laptops will be your best bet; you’ll be able to multitask using a number of programs with no hiccups.

*       Battery: Consider when you’ll be using the computer – is battery life critical for your use or a non-issue?

*       Hard drive: The size of your hard drive will dictate how many documents, photos, videos and music files you can hold without slowing down the computer or running out of space.

What do You Need?

Not every computer is the same – and it’s critical that you know what is that you need before going into the purchasing process. According to PCMag.com, “Most people have a general idea of what their laptop should look like and what they want in terms of features, but are often intimidated by the choices available.” Now that you know the basic features to look out for, you have to decide what it is that you need exactly.

*       Extra space: The standard hard drive is 80-100GB. But you can find internal hard drives upwards of 500GB, or purchase an external when you run out of space.

*       Fast CPU: If you require an extra speedy computer, look for a dual core or Core 2 processor.  Most budget friendly options have slower processors, such as the Atom processor, so be sure to check before buying.

*       Big screen: If you’ll be using the laptop as your primary television/movie viewing tool, you’ll need a screen large enough to be effective. Aim for 15-17 inches.

*       Light weight: You’ll need a light option if you’ll be lugging your laptop around campus or on business trips. A netbook or “ultra-portable” device will be ideal for you.

Buying Guide

Finally, before going into the store you’ll need to compile this information to get a full picture of what it is that you need and want.

*       Have a set budget

*       Know your speed and hard drive requirements

*       Be ready with an idea of your preferred weight and screen size

Purchasing a laptop can be a difficult decision. With so many options to choose from, it’s hard to differentiate what you need from what you want. If you go in armed with your basic information and list of needs, you can be sure to leave with the right computer for you.