The most important specs you want to look out for are
1. RAM: the more the better. Don't settle for 2GB RAM, buy 6 or even 8GB.
2. HARD DRIVE: make sure it is a 7200-rpm hard drive as opposed to 5400-rpm. Don't allow your hard drive to slow you down! And of course, choose a hard drive large enough to store all your files. I recommend a minimum of 350GB, but it can't hurt to go up.
3. Battery life: you will really love that long battery life once you have it.
4. Weight: think 3 pounds and 4.5 pounds really isn't that different? Wait until you have to lug it around for a day.
All the rest you can safely ignore.
Some of the options you will be presented with that are superfluous to your buying decision are:
- CPU speed. Don't pay a whole lot more for 2.3GHZ CPU vs 2.4GHZ CPU. You really won't notice the difference.
- RAM speed. The noticeable difference between 1333MHz RAM and 1066MHz RAM is neglegable.
- DVD/Blu-Ray write speeds: not worth the extra money.
- Graphics RAM: unless you are playing games, your on board graphics card will do just fine to watch DVD's, Blu-Ray's and YouTube videos.
