1. Know what you need: hard/software and your budget (i.e. $600 USD)
2. Compare brand products (i.e. dell.com, bestbuy.com) with $$$ and service
3. Most the current OS system comes with 64 bit, do you need 32 bit instead?
4. Take some time for price and product search: it’s your bloody money for your lovely baby or lover in next 3 to 5 years!
see here:
http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/days_of_deals?c=ca&cs=cadhst1&l=en&s=dhs&ref=hbn