Look for speed. You want something that spins 7,200 rpm or more and has a capacity of at least 20 gigabytes. But big drives are cheap. Give yourself room to grow. You're wasting money if you buy less than 17 inches these days.
Research shows that larger monitors improve productivity.
With plunging prices, flat-panel monitors are increasingly popular. Both are half-price from two years ago. Cheaper flat panels have lowered laptop computer prices significantly, too. They aren't any better for your eyes. Speakers and sound.