When shopping for a new laptop computer, there are several different factors you should take into consideration before making a final decision. We all know portable PCs don’t come cheap, so it’s important that you take your time and do plenty of research. In what follows below, you’ll find some key issues to focus on when purchasing your new notebook.

Budget—During these tough economic times, the amount of money you can afford to spend becomes a huge factor in your decision. Come up with a reasonable price range before you start shopping. That way, you’ll know right off the bat if something is far too expensive. Just remember, you’ll probably have this device for a considerable number of years, so keep that in mind as you’re weighing your options.

Manufacturer—Many consumers like to buy their technology products from a particular manufacturer or brand. While there’s often good reason for this, it’s not a bad idea to check out the latest merchandise from various other companies as well. If nothing else, you’ll at least become aware of the many different types of laptop computers that are currently on the market.

Purpose— If you want to make a well-informed decision, you’ll need to think about the intended function of your portable PC. You might want to start by asking yourself a few questions: What will I be using it for? What features do I need? Will this be a business laptop only or will I use it for entertainment purposes as well, such as playing games and watching movies? The answers to these questions will greatly influence your final decision.

Warranty—Some people look at the warranty as an optional feature or as an extra add-on. But truth be told, the warranty is an essential part of the whole package. Certain manufacturers include it with the purchase while others make you pay an additional fee for it. But either way, you should definitely get a warranty of some kind—you’re already spending hundreds of dollars on a brand new device, so you may as well insure it too. If your new laptop does need to be repaired, you won’t have to worry about what it’ll cost you to fix it.

Memory—Nowadays, laptops and notebooks come with more memory than most people will need. However, if you require more RAM than the average user would, you may want to look into an external hard drive or internal memory upgrade. For the most part, the RAM should be at least 512MB to prevent delays when multi-tasking.

Now that you understand some of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a new laptop, your next step should be deciding where exactly you want to get it from. You’re probably better off ordering your notebook from an online retailer. Internet retailers usually offer great deals on brand new laptops, and you’ll also be able to read user reviews. Besides these perks, you’ll certainly enjoy the convenience of online ordering, since you can select and pay for your laptop without ever leaving the comfort of your home.