In the market for a new computer? Make the right purchase with these 5 tips.

Price

Price is always going to factor in to making a purchase, and buying a laptop is no different. Laptop prices can range from the low $100s to well over a thousand dollars and come equipped with a number of optional features and hardware. What you're willing to spend will directly affect how powerful your laptop is, what it does, and how well it does it. Like many other items in the tech world, laptops increase in price the better they are. However, you can often find deals that bring down premium units to a more affordable range.

What's It For?

Are you a gamer? Graphic designer? Or do you just need a solid laptop for school and business work, with the occasional Netflix binge? Laptops vary in more than just price. Finding one that fits your specific needs should be a priority. You'll also need to choose between Windows and iOS (Apple). Both of these operating systems offer similar experiences, but they function very differently. Store kiosks often provide demos to let you get a feel for each.

Specs

If you're not a tech-head, be prepared to see a lot of foreign words and acronyms when picking out a laptop. Laptop specs include CPU, RAM, OS, HDD, and other terms that may be confusing. If you need help, a store employee can walk you through what they all mean. That being said, each computer component affects the total cost of your laptop. The more premium the part, the more premium the laptop. While you may need a beefier unit to handle graphic design and gaming, a basic laptop is probably the best choice for writing, streaming, and surfing the web.

Weight

People generally buy laptops for their mobility. The convenience of being able to pause your work, pack up your laptop, and then continue at another location can't be overstated. If that sounds like your typical day, you'll want to find a laptop that's light and compact. Rest assured, most units are. Avoid heavier laptops unless you don't plan on relocating often.

Battery

Another great perk about laptops is their ability to work anywhere. This is, however, limited to how long your battery lasts. Units that demand more power can go through a battery in as little as a few hours. Other laptops, such as those used primarily for homework or other business can last upwards of 6-8 hours. Knowing how you'll be using your laptop for will help you pick out the battery best suited to your needs.