Most people go shopping for the machine based on the hardware specifications of the computer.  Some examples are the processor speed, memory, harddrive, etc.  But in your search for a new laptop, have you considered what kind of software comes with it?  Probably not.

What you can expect on your new laptop (I am assuming you bought a machine with Windows on it - Linux and Mac based notebooks will be different) are the following:

• Some trial software for anti-virus and spyware.  Some examples are Norton Internet Security and McAfee Internet Security.  Typically they offer you a ninety day trial after which it costs $40-$50 to renew it for a year.
• CD and DVD burning software comes standard on most models.  The only ones I have seen that don’t come with anything in the last few months is Gateway.  It is better to get some sort of burning software as opposed to the built in software in Windows.
• Microsoft Works come standard with most computers.  The only one I have seen in stores that doesn’t include it are Acer notebooks.  If you are not familiar with Microsoft Works, it is the watered-down version of Microsoft Office.
• A sixty day trial of Microsoft Office Student and Teacher Edition.  You can find Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and One Note (think of One Note as a doodle pad).  You typically don’t find Acer Notebooks with the trial included, but you can download it for free off the Internet.
• If your notebook has a webcam, you will find some webcam software included.  HP for example, included muvee AutoProducer with their webcam equipped notebooks.
• If your notebook has a Light Scribe Drive (found on HP and Compaq) there is also Light Scribe labeling software included.
• You will also find other free software on there such as Adobe Reader.