Sounds like a good place to start
I'm completely non technical when it comes to laptops, but if it helps, the approach I took with mine was :
- My OH advised me on the minimum spec I'd need for what I wanted (I'm no help to you at all there)
- I looked at all the lappies I could find with that spec or better within my budget.
- My main criteria for choosing were the usability factors - size of screen / keyboard size / numeric keypad etc.
What works for you may not work for everyone else. For example, I use mine mainly while sat on the sofa watching TV or sat out in the garden so portability and weight wasn't a major factor - I have a work laptop for traveling with.
The one thing that I wish I'd paid more attention to was how reflective the screen was. Mine is stupidly shiny and a real pain if using outdoors.
- Oh and ignore what other people tell you about brands or you'll get tied up in knots. For every person who's had a good experience with a particular brand you'll find somebody who's had a poor one.
Happy shopping tomorrow and I hope you get something you're happy with.