You can get a basic notebook or an ultra-powerful gaming and media machine, something slim and light or something with all the bells and whistles; it’s as much about what you need as what you can afford. To make sure you get the right machine, think about the things you can upgrade in the future – the hard drive and memory, the optical drive and any extra hardware you can plug in via USB or a PC Card or ExpressCard slot.

Check the battery life, and find out how much an extended battery will cost. Then look at what you can’t change; the size and weight of the case, the screen and the keyboard, the processor and the graphics chipset. Think about where you want to use your laptop and what you need to do when you get there. Check our reviews for detailed specs and performance results. And because what you like in a screen and keyboard often comes down to personal preference, try systems out in person before you buy.