components

CPU:

The Central Processing Unit is the ‘brain’ of the computer and is often measured in Giga-Hertz (Ghz). One would think that having a higher Ghz number would automatically mean a more powerful machine. Not always the case. The fact is, with advancements in technology, you can have laptops with two or even four cores effectively catapulting the computing power.

*Intel Core 2 Duo is a better processor than an Intel Pentium. AMD processors are typically a hundred dollars cheaper than an Intel Chip.
RAM:

Random Access Memory is like the front desk, it handles all the requests coming into the CPU, and prioritizes them so the CPU does not have to take on more than it can handle. The more RAM you have, the more buffer you are able to put in place without slowing the machine down. RAM comes in either DDR2 or DDR3 variation, and in this case, DDR3 is a more powerful RAM than the latter.
HDD:

Hard Disk Drive is exactly what you would think it to be, the physical storage of your laptop and needless to say, the more you have the better.