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Step 1
The first thing to do is check your computer and see what kind of CD's your computer will accept. The easiest way to do this is to check the exterior of your CD drive. It will have letter such as CD-R or CD-RW. CD-R's will work in any drive, but the CD-RW won't work in the CD-R drive. (It may help to establish the difference here. A CD-R is simply a normal CD, but a CD-RW means it is a rewritable CD. In short, the computer can burn data to it multiple times, and some CD drives won't be able to recognize it's format.)
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Step 2
Once you know what your drive will accept, you should ask yourself what you will be using the CD for. Will it be for storing music, pictures, or data Files? Depending on what you are using them for, you will want to purchase a different variety of CD's.
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Step 3
If you are burning a large number of copies of something like music or pictures, it's best to purchase the less expensive option. CD-R's are usually best for both of these options. CD-RW will not work in most music players, and might not work in some computers. Also, if you have the option, purchase CD-R + (The plus means it will work better for music and pictures).
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Step 4
If you are only burning a few CD's for storing information it might be in your best interest to buy more expensive, higher-capacity CD's. CD-RW's will allow you to rewrite information and change information, so that might also be helpful depending on your needs. CD-R-(The minus sign means it will work better for storing data) will be most helpful for data storage, if you are given the option.
