In fact, with the majority of machines based on either an AMD or Intel platform, differentiating between models, much less brands can be a daunting task.

To make it easier for you to choose a model based on your needs, taken a close look at the various offerings from the major PC makers and see just what makes each line up tick.

Quick tips when buying a laptop:Though it may be tempting to get a Netbook* as a primary machine, the single-core Atom processor is unsuitable for serious multitasking and computing-intensive tasks. For that, it would be better to spend the money on a dual-core budget laptop** which may be larger, but with far superior performance.Though some retailers have used them interchangeably, Pentium Dual-Core and Core 2 Duo chips differ significantly.

The former is cheaper and used mainly in budget laptops, while the latter has a larger L2 cache and offer faster performance.If the machine has Hybrid Graphics capability, it means the laptop is able to automatically switch between the integrated and discrete graphics chipsets.

Unless you are running a 64-bit Windows or Mac OS X operating system, the maximum RAM your laptop can use is 3GB, no matter how much actual memory is installed. So don't be surprised if the specifications say 4GB RAM, but the notebook can detect only 3GB.A business laptop may be more expensive than an equivalent consumer model, but the former is usually hardier with security and hard disk protective features to preserve mission-critical data.*The Netbook category is at the cusp of an evolutionary change. While the current crop of machines with Atom N270 processor on the Intel 945 chip set provides adequate power for surfing and basic productivity tasks, it tends to stutter even on a high-bitrates video playback.

The new Atom N280 processor, coupled with the upcoming Intel GN40 chipset, will change the way users view the Netbook category.

With high-definition 720p video playback capabilities, we'll likely see sub portables doubling as entertainment machines alongside Internet surfing duties.

We would not be surprised if this range of machines start sprouting HDMI or Display Port slots for hooking up with LCD TVs. But to be fair, the current selection of machines are not total write-offs yet. Some features, such as six-cell batteries and 3.5G/HSDPA connectivity, used to be expensive options but are now becoming part of the standard package.

Several of the new models are even sporting the new Atom N280 processor, albeit on the older Intel 945 platform. A good, comfortable keyboard is now the norm, while the 16:9 aspect ratio 10.2-inch screens are great for widescreen movies. So if you do not foresee yourself requiring high-definition playback on a Netbook, picking one up now is not such a bad idea.

*Not all of us need a speed demon-possessed laptop. True, it would be nice to have a blazing-fast Core 2 Duo machine laced with 4GB of memory and mixed with a high-end discrete graphics card. Naturally, such a system will run the bill way past the Rs.1, 00,000 marks. But if emails and surfing the Internet are all you do, why use a Porsche just to drive two streets down to the grocery store? A basic system is really all you need. The latest Core 2 Duo processor? Don't bother. Discrete graphics? Save the cash and get a decent unit for under Rs38, 000.