Step 2: RAM
We consider this very important. It’s better to trade in for more RAM than a more powerful processor. 512MB should be the minimum. With Windows Vista already out, we recommend 1GB.
Step 3: Screen
Now a days you have the option between a wide-screen or a regular screen for laptops. Wide-screen is good for watching movies and playing games. Another variation is the type of screen—normal or glossy. Again glossy screens are good for movies and gaming since the images looks richer with more vibrant colors and sharper contrast.
Normal Screen Type vs Glossy Screen Type—On the right hand side glossy screen laptop you can see the reflection of the keyboard on the screen
Glossy screens, however, reflect much more light and in an office environment which is very bright especially with many overhead lights, it can get irritating. So if you want to get a laptop purely for work, we recommend going for the regular ones i.e. with a matte finish. In fact manufacturers such as HP have mainstream laptops with wide and glossy screens while their business range has non-wide and regular matte finish ones. 
15-inch normal screen vs a 14.1-inch wide-screen laptop
i "was" confused about "dual" core and core2duo. now my confusion gone.thanks.
