But for the less tech saavy, pre-built laptops are probably still the best way to go. Many times, when you buy a laptop that has been premade, you can get exceptional deals because of the lower cost of manufacturing associated with these computers.

It’s not always easy to know exactly where to make your purchase, however. Some people like Ebay because of the low cost, but I would caution against buying a computer there because you can never be sure what you are getting. Many Ebay sellers get their goods for China, which raises concerns over authenticity.

An easier and in most cases superior way to shop online is to stick to a large site like Amazon. You will typically have a better selection as well as better prices by only shopping at the well known online outlets.

But don’t make the mistake of just purchasing your computers online. The internet is also a great place to conduct research on what model you want. Many places will provide user reviews which can really help you decide if the laptop you’re interested in is worth it. A little research done before you spend your hard earned cash can definitely save you a lot of hassle later on.

Some of the most important things to pay attention to when buying a laptop are 1) the reputation of the manufactures 2) the specs and 3) upgradeability. Of course, cost is also an issue for many consumers, but increasingly you will find that there is not too much of a price difference between manufacturers, so don’t let price dictate your purchase decision.

If you are unsure of which model Laptop to get, I recommend the HP G60 and the highly popular Dell Inspiron 1545.