[AlexMack]

Try for a gig of RAM and at least an 80 gig hard drive. If it's for school, get an even bigger one.

FYI-Apple has a deal right now where if you buy a laptop you get a free ipod. And I can assure you, you will catch on to using one very quickly. They're extremely user-friendly now, almost never crash and can't get viruses. Can you tell I'm a fan?

Make a list of the things you'll use it for or want to use it for. Shop around, even look online. Don't let any big chain electronics store con you into their warranty plan. If you go to Best Buy avoid Geek Squad like the plague, they're a huge ripoff.

Because macbooks have dropped in price and you get a free ipod, I would suggest getting macbook, upgrade the RAM to 1 gig, hard drive to 80-120gigs and DO get the protection plan. Apple's very good. Also macs can now run windows. If there's an apple store near you, go play around on one of the laptops and talk to someone there.

Also if you go with a PC, IBM thinkpads really aren't great and do NOT get Vista. Make sure it has Windows XP. Vista is a nightmare!