The comparison matrix can be reasonably complex. Following parameters are usually looked at while buying a laptop: Screen size and resolution, Processor speed, Processor Cache Size, Processor Front-side-bus speed, Memory size and speed, Disk size and speed, Graphics card type and Video RAM size, availability and type of wireless card, availability and number of I/O ports (such as USB and firewire), optical drive availability and type, and weight of the laptop. Current low-point for most applications is 1GHz Processor, 20GB Disk, 256MB Memory, and 1024x768 (XGA) resolution screen. Windows Vista's minimum memory requirement is 512MB.
Disk speed at low-end is 4200RPM, with 5400RPM becoming more standard, and 7200RPM at the higher end.

Operating System:Most laptops come with Windows and associated "Windows Tax". You can save some money by chosing a Linux laptop instead. The LC2210S laptop from LinuxCertified is a great option for a cheap linux laptop.

The key factors to keep in mind while buying a low-cost laptop are:

• Is the upfront cost more important for you or total cost of ownership?
• How long would like to you use this laptop for?
• Are you comfortable changing components in a laptop, e.g. cpu, memory or disk?
• Is battery life important for you, or will you use the laptop almost always plugged to the wall?

Like buying any computer, the purpose of buying this laptop needs to be clear, and the laptop you buy should meet the required needs in the long term. So, the cheapest laptop that you find may not be the most optimal choice in most scenarios. E.g. if you are planning to mount your laptop in your car, you may need to consider buying a rugged laptop (usually more expensive) which can absorb all the vibrations.

If you are buying the laptop for corporate needs, an important consideration is whether you can buy the exact same model and configuration repeatedly. If you bought a notebook on a special deal by standing for few hours in a queue after Thanksgiving, it may be very hard to get the same notebook at a similar price at a later point. If you are buying in bulk you may be able to get some attractive deals on used or refurbished notebooks from a wholesaler.

Overall, this author's recommendation is to go for a cheap new laptop - since it provides the security of full manufacturer's warranty (which can be very important in case of a laptop) and provides access to relatively recent technology, with a clean operating system installation. With proper research and patience, you can land a notebook at a great price which optimizes above parameters for you.