Laptop basics

A PC's processor (CPU) and system memory (RAM) determine how fast it is and how many programs it can run comfortably at once. More RAM—measured in gigabytes (GB)—means a faster and more responsive computer. A more powerful CPU has multiple cores (dual or quad instead of single) and greater speed—measured in gigahertz (GHz). A standard laptop these days might have 2 GB of RAM and a 1 GHz, dual-core processor. A more powerful PC might have 4 GB of RAM and a 2.8 GHz, quad-core processor.

Many laptops also come with mobile processors specially designed to use less power than the processors in desktop PCs—which can have a big impact on how long your laptop battery lasts.

One more thing to consider is whether you want a 32-bit or 64-bit CPU: 32-bit is fine for most people, but 64-bit systems can use larger amounts of memory—4 GB and up—which is good for things like serious gaming and professional video editing. Windows 7 comes in both 64-bit and 32-bit versions, but you'll need a 64-bit PC in order to run the 64-bit version. Want to learn more? See Taking the mystery out of 64-bit Windows.

This table shows the RAM and CPU specs you might find on different types of laptops:

Your hard drive is where you put all your stuff—from programs to photos. These days, most laptops have plenty of storage capacity, starting with a baseline of 60-100 gigabytes (GB), with some netbooks having less. This is fine for photos, music, documents, and a few movies.

This table shows how much storage you might need for various uses:

Solid-state drives (SSDs) are a new type of hard drive that use flash memory to do away with all moving parts. They're faster, lighter, less power hungry, and more shock resistant, but also considerably more expensive than conventional spinning hard drives. All but the priciest SSDs remain smaller than typical laptop hard drives, though that might change in the future.

Finally, don't forget to create a backup. With Backup and Restore in Windows 7, you can set it and forget it—Windows will automatically back up whatever folders, libraries, and drives you choose. You can copy your precious data to CDs, DVDs, USB flash drives, an external hard drive, or upload it to an online service like Windows Live Skydrive. The key is remembering to back up your data to a safe place.

A big screen is great for watching movies or juggling a bunch of open windows. And usually a bigger screen—14 inches and up—means higher resolution (how many pixels are shown, which determines how detailed the image is). But if you and your laptop will be going mobile a lot, smaller might be better: screen size is a major factor in both a laptop's weight and its battery life.

Widescreen PCs have become more popular recently as more people use their laptops for movies and gaming. They also work well for comparing two documents side-by-side. But since taller standard screens provide more screen "real estate" relative to the size of the laptop, some still prefer them.

Finally, there's the great matte vs. glossy debate—some people like the brighter, glass-like look of a glossy screen, while others appreciate matte's glare-free quality.

How heavy should your laptop be? The answer depends on what you're planning to do with it, how much money you want to spend, and how much you plan to carry your laptop around.

High-performance gaming rigs can weigh up to 15 pounds—not so good for running through airports. The lightest netbooks weigh in at 3 pounds or less, but are also light on power and performance. So many people find their fit somewhere in the middle: a standard all-around laptop usually weighs between 5 and 7 pounds.

Some laptops achieve lightness with smaller screens and keyboards, while some high-end "thin and light" models are full sized (if you're looking for a featherweight netbook, check out Finding a netbook that's right for you). Those thin, stylish laptops can cost a lot more, while generic-looking laptops with smaller screens and keyboards are among the least expensive.

Laptops generally come with either a track pad or pointing stick (that little nub in the middle of some keyboards, sometimes called an eraserhead), although a few have both. Which you choose is a matter of personal preference, but you can also add a mouse (wired or wireless) for greater pointing ease.

Keyboard size (and sometimes layout) varies with the size of the laptop. Some people find the smaller ones difficult to use, so this is a good thing to try before you buy. This will also give you the chance to see if you like the feel of the keyboard—things like the spacing of the keys and whether it feels solid or "clacky."

If you never take your laptop out of the house, no worries here. But if you plan to travel with it, check the specs before you buy (and make sure the stated battery life refers to the manufacturer's standard battery, not an extended-life version). Larger screens and faster processors drain batteries more quickly, as do certain uses, like gaming, watching movies, and accessing wireless networks.

During the purchasing process, you can often upgrade a laptop with a bigger battery. You can also get an extra, backup battery if you really need to go long stretches without plugging in. But keep in mind that larger and backup batteries can be heavy. To read more about this, see Conserving battery power.

Video cards (also called graphics cards) create your computer's visuals. Laptops don't have room inside them for a video card like you'll find in most desktop PCs. They rely instead on a graphics processing unit (GPU) built into the computer. These built-in GPUs come in one of two flavors: integrated graphics or dedicated (discrete) graphics.

Integrated graphics cost less but are usually less powerful than dedicated graphics, which are a premium option on many laptops. Integrated graphics are fine for most uses, but dedicated graphics are best for gaming, editing high-definition video, and other graphics-intensive tasks (and might be needed for some Windows features—read the Windows 7 system requirements to learn more).

Windows 7 comes in several editions. Windows 7 Home Premium provides a top-notch entertainment experience on your PC, and Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate add premium features for even more power and versatility. Not sure which one's right for you? You can compare Windows 7 editions, review the system requirements, or square off Windows vs. Windows to compare Windows 7 to the version of Windows you're currently using.