Make a list of all the things you will need to do with your computer. Don’t just think about what you will use it for today. Think about a couple of years into the future. Consider the following: internet surfing, email, digital image storage and editing, music storage, video storage and editing, game play, watching tv and movies, complex spreadsheet and database usage, word processing, all possible homework and school needs over the next few years. Once you have a list of all the possible uses you will have for your new laptop or netbook you’ll be able to start figuring out what computer will best suit your needs.

Buy a netbook computer if all you really need to do is surf the web and check email. If portability, size and weight and price are most important for you and your needs are simply to have basic internet and email access on the go consider a netbook. A netbook will not have a DVD/CD drive and will be sufficient for only basic functions and surfing. A netbook will also have a smaller screen and keyboard so make sure that is comfortable for you too. Most likely a netbook battery will have a longer life than a laptop so take that into consideration too.

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Buy a laptop if you have a greater need than internet surfing and email. The laptop will have a bigger screen, greater storage capacity, faster processor and writable dvd drive as well as a bigger screen and keyboard. Remember the machine you purchase should meet your needs for a few years into the future as well. A laptop's battery life may be less than what you will get in a netbook.

Take your list of everything you want to do with your laptop and how you will use it to a big electronics store and speak with a knowledgeable salesperson. Things you will talk about are hard drive size. This is how much you will be able to store on your computer. RAM memory is another spec the salesperson will talk to you about. Any new laptop will have 2-4 gig of RAM. Random Access Memory (RAM) is the temporary memory that allows your computer to not have to keep going to the hard drive to get what it needs while you are working with multiple applications. More RAM will help your computer work faster. Processors and processor speeds are important depending on what you need your computer to do.

Read an article on computer specification definitions so you are familiar with the basics. I included some links in resources. Print out the article and bring it to the store so you can refer to it and understand the basics for yourself

Look at several of the laptops the salesperson recommends that meet your needs. Check out the screen size, clarity of picture and anti-glare qualities and the keyboard too. Pick up the laptop and see if you like the weight and feel.

Check pricing on your wireless device or go home and look for deals on the web. If the store you are in has the perfect laptop at a price you like do yourself a favor and use your wireless device to get on the internet to see if you can find that laptop cheaper somewhere else. If you do, ask the store manager to match the price you found. More than likely he will. If you don't have a wireless device with you, go home and check the internet for the best price on the laptop or netbook you want. Make sure you search for coupons for any internet site you decide to buy from. You can also print any ads and bring them to your local store and ask them to price match.

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Consider buying a refurbished machine if you want to keep costs down. Now that you know the specs you need on your new laptop and you've found some models you like you can search the web for a refurbished laptop. It will save you money and they usually come with a great warranty and you can purchase additional warranty time if you are worried about the quality of a refurbished machine. Often, refurbished machines have been checked more thoroughly than brand new ones so you shouldn't be too concerned about quality or defects.