If you're like most people, you have a computer at home. But do you really want to be tied to your desk all day? You are if you still use a desktop computer instead of a laptop.

There's nothing wrong with a desktop computer. If you do most of your work in one place, and you don't need to be portable, a desktop computer can offer a great deal of memory, plus a large monitor for much less money than you'll pay for a comparably outfitted laptop. But with a laptop, you can take your office anywhere. 

There are so many laptops out there, sometimes it can be hard to decide what you want. Someone who does a lot of design work obviously will need more capability on their laptops than someone who just uses their computer to do some writing and pay some bills.

Here's some things to look for:

1. Brand. Different people like different brands, but if you want a good laptop that will last more than a couple of months, research your brand. Go online and Google the brand you're looking at and see what the reviews are. People are vocal when they buy something and it doesn't meet their expectations, and people who buy technology will tell you exactly what is wrong or right with it.

2. Decide how much you want to pay. Laptops come at all kinds of price points, and the best aren't necessarily the most expensive -- or the cheapest.

3. Think about your screen size. If you do work that needs a lot of screen space, you won't be happy with a small 8 inch netbook screen. The usual size for laptop screens is 15.6 inches, which is usually sufficient for most tasks. However, if you're doing work that takes a lot of space, such as design work, you might want something a bit bigger.

4. Consider the use. If you're using your laptop for gaming, something that doesn't have a good graphics card and lots of memory won't do you any good. But if you're writing, the capabilities of the graphics card aren't quite so important.

5. Make sure the processor size and amount of memory are sufficient enough to last you for a couple of years. Some laptops cost less because they have smaller processors and low amounts of memory. Remember, buy as much memory as you can afford. It's important for the long-term use of your computer.

6. Make sure it has wireless capabilities. You'll need a way to connect wirelessly. Some newer laptops have 4G WiMax ability, but do your research first. If you don't live in an area that offers 4G WiMax, there is no need to pay extra for that feature. If you want to travel with your laptop, there are many places that offer WiFi, and for the ones who don't, you can buy a wireless card that will allow you to connect almost anywhere.

7. Check battery life. Some laptops have rechargeable batteries that last just a few hours, while others have batteries that last much longer. Battery life is important if you plan to use your laptop anywhere you can't plug in.

8. Do you want to use video chat? Then make sure your laptop has a built-in webcam. You can always add a webcam later, but they can be bulky. It's better to have a webcam that's part of your laptop.

9. Do you do a lot with numbers? Your laptop should include a numerical keypad, unless you want to buy a spare numbers pad and plug it in everywhere. 

10. Be sure to have a DVD burner and plenty of USB plugin ports. This will help you with back up. 

Ready to shop? One last thing -- pick that laptop up, if the store will let you. If not, check its weight. There's nothing worse than lugging around a really heavy laptop. 

Enjoy your new computer!