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It's very easy to become seduced by the bells and whistles that now come with every computer. And with easy online customization, you can find yourself with a shopping cart filled with a great laptop for a not-so-great price. Instead of buying what sounds good to you (and to the oh-so-helpful online assistant), maybe it's time to buy what you really need from a laptop in your everyday life. Don't know what you need? Here's how to figure it out.

How Much Memory Do You Really Need?

This is usually the place in the online ordering form that we all become a little greedy. We think the more memory we have, the better our laptop will be. And for those who need a lot of memory, this is certainly true. But if you're not using your laptop for storage (and many of us aren't), memory can be a price addition that's simply unnecessary. Think about how many things you currently store on your laptop right now. If you're storing videos, pictures, and large files, it might be well worth it to buy a new laptop with more memory – at least 2GB. But when you're just using your laptop to surf the Internet, check email, and type up some files, you're probably okay with 1GB. If you're still not sure how much memory you need, try storing additional files for your laptop on flash drives or purchase a laptop with additional memory slots. These are places where additional memory can be inserted to boost your laptop's performance in the future.

What Features Do You Really Need?

Much like shopping for a car, shopping for a laptop exposes you to fun extras you might want to include – for a price. Things like a webcam and additional software can seem crucial in the buying moment, but when you're not actually using them on a daily basis, they're gadgets and a waste a memory space. Instead, take an inventory for one week of the things you actually use on your current computer. Those are the things you will want to make sure some on your new laptop – nothing else. The truth is that even if you end up needing additional programs or gizmos, you can always buy them separately at a later time.

How Much Do You Lug it Around?

Another thing to keep in mind when shopping for a laptop is how much you actually need to transport it from home to other areas. If you're a business traveler, you might be well-advised to purchase a laptop that is lighter and easier to manage. They are certainly more expensive, but your shoulder and upper back will thank you as you run through the airport. But if your laptop stays mainly at home and in your lap, a slightly heavier model is a better choice. No matter what you use your laptop for, there is a right choice and a best choice for your needs. While it can be tempting to get everything you want at the same time, computer retailers are always ready to help you upgrade your current setup at a later time – and, often, for cheaper prices than adding all of those extras at the time of the original configuration.