“I need a laptop.  What should I buy?” 

Work in I.T. for more than a week and you will be asked this question, I guarantee it.  Sounds simple enough but it's not an easy question to just say "Buy X and not Y".  

I've been buying laptops since the 1980's and I've been down this road myself quite a bit.

This should help give you a bit of guidance to help you find something that really suits your needs;  while I can offer no guarantees I have found that you're much more likely to find a laptop you like, will actually use and will get much much more value out of.

 Remember - if you buy something you hate then your cost is 100% wasted money!