They are stored on your present computer. You will have to transfer them. You can save stuff to a CD or DVD.

For Firefox...

While holding down the CTRL key, hit the SHIFT key, and the B key.
A window will open with a black bar....click on "Import and Backup".

Select "Export HTML...".

Then give the export file to be saved a name (I usually put the file on my desktop).

You can then save this file just like any other file, to a CD or smart card...and then import it into FireFox and/or IE on your new system.

This will copy your Bookmarks

I had no idea that could be done Monica. Thanks!
I'll have to see if something similar can be done with Chrome

If you use Windows MESH, you can sync your browser between two computers. I did this with mine. As for pictures/files, etc., I simply put them on a flash drive and transfered them to my new laptop. Or you can use "Windows Easy Transfer". My Vista laptop has it, although I never tried it. And I'm sure my Windows 7 laptop has it as well. You would have to google how that works.

I bought one of those cables and never even used it. Forgot about it actually! Since I use USB drives for incremental backups so I just use that to transfer most things.

Often you can save the profile folder and transfer on most decent browsers. But there's easier ways for some.

For Opera, get OperaFly. Easy way to back up your settings and convert another computer.

For Firefox, Mozbackup does a similar job. FEBE was OK but doesn't work with the current version when I last checked.

With both of the above, save the backups and you're backed up in case of loss.

For Chrome, there's no built-in backup system or a program or extension of which I'm aware, but there's a couple other options:
1) There is a sync option in Chrome. Click on the wrench and select options, then click on personal stuff, then Click SYNC and log into your account. Install Chrome on another computer, but don't customize anything. Click on the wrench again, then options, then personal stuff, then sync.. Sign in and immediately all of your settings, your bookmarks, your extensions and everything else will be available on the new computer.
2) You will have to save Chrome's user Data folder.If you have Windows XP, you can do that this way:
A) First, install Chrome on your new computer. Make no modifications to it at this point. Also make sure you have the same version of the browser so it's best to update the browser on the old machine if necessary before making changes. But it's a good idea to back up the old one first... just in case, then upgrade, then transfer.
B) On your old computer, go to Start/Run
type C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome (replace USERNAME with your user name) and click OK
C) The folder which opens has two folders in it: Application and "User Data". Copy the folder "User Data" to your new computer, on the same place in your new computer. Overwrite any files if asked. Make sure that Chrome is closed while you do that.
D) After that, when you open Chrome on your new computer it should have all settings from the old one.

One caution, It might not save passwords or browsing history, but that shouldn't be a big deal. Oh, and when you do a transfer on Opera or Firefox as well as Chrome, make sure they're the same version to avoid problems.

Oh, and to answer your question, the favorites/bookmarks are saved on your computer. There's also programs out there to back them up but the above are better ways IMO.

I don't save my links on the browser anymore. I save them onto an HTML page on my computer and use that for a homepage. Essentially I made a website and I can use that on any browser and carry it with me on a USB drive and have it available when I'm away from my computer. I did set up a website at one time and used as the home page but having it on the computer is faster and easier to edit. Plus I dress it up with clipart, different fonts, radar, satellite and gas price widget along with a lot of other stuff. You can have it as simple or complex as you choose and edit it as you desire.

And please Jasdip, when you get the new machine, *don't* make the usual mistake of getting online immediately and surfing away before you properly set it up and secure it! How many times people first run to the forums or wherever and go "look at my new computer!!!!!!" and get filled up with malware. It takes a little time and effort but it's important.

let me tell you the easy easy way to make sure you always have all your faves no matter which browser you use or which computer, this is what I use.
xmarks they have a version for all browsers just get the right one for each browser and install it, you will then create a page online with a user name and password it will store all your faves there too so even if you are on another computer somewhere you just log into your xmarks page and have full access to your faves, When you get a new pc just install xmarks tell it to sync and voila all your stuff is right there on the new pc no lost faves. you can have it combine all your browsers into one list or you choose to keep them separate, I just have on list makes is easier. It will update and sync all of them anytime you add a new fave on any of your computers or browsers it is all automagic

No more need to back up all that stuff. It is excellent! I would not be with out it.

Here is a link that might be useful: xmarks

Well, uh, no need to back up if the program or site never goes under, becomes pay, is bought out/shut down or has catastrophic server issues. I've seen too many free sites go under and people lose too many things to ever say you can always walk on ice.

Odds are low, yes, but they were low for the lost websites too! LOL Just be aware if you want to take your chances. Anything has a risk and there's not much for guarantees (I've found).

You could do all the mumble jumble stuff up above, or you could seriously use this program.

Save documents to a flash drive. Save pictures to a flash drive. Use Windows Live Mesh on both computers. Sign in on both computers, your book marks will MESH. Voila. Done. Simple.

Here is a link that might be useful: Windows Live Mesh

Chrome has a built-in option to sync across computers. From inside Chrome, click on the wrench (on the right next to the address bar), then "options" then "personal stuff" and you will see the "sync" options. Choose whatever ones you want to sync.

To do this, you have to be able to sign into your Google account, so you'll need a GMail address.

When you buy the new computer, just install Chrome, sign into your account, and all the bookmarks will be there.