checklist for new laptop purchases - updated 4/23/15

This is my checklist when buying a new computer.  I've had some Dell reps not key in my information properly, which has caused problems - so I need to check over each order to make sure all I want is included.

Items to check:

1. Processor: Core i5 or better
2. RAM: 4 GB or more (as required)
3. Hard drive: 256 GB or more (SSD preferred for most laptops)
4. Webcam built in
5. Warranty as required (3 year with accidental damage protection preferred)
6. Docking station (if required)
7. Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
8. OEM software (Office or Adobe Acrobat as needed)
9. Dual band wireless card
10. Battery size as required (4 cell or larger)
11. Default display resolution as preferred

checking hardware problems

On a computer I built, I was getting freezes and the ocassioanl blue screen that gave various memory issues.  My first course of troubleshooting was running memtest86:

http://www.memtest.org/

After that came up clean, I tried this overclocking testing tool:

http://www.ocbase.com/perestroika_en/index.php?Download

That test told me my processor was running so hot that I couldn't complete the test.  After that, I downloaded and ran CoreTemp to continuously check my processor temperature:

http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

In the end, I added an aftermarket heatsink - but I thought it would be worth documenting what I used to troubleshoot what seemed like nonsensical problems.