Processor: Intel's Pentium M processor has helped notebooks gain new ground in the power department. Notebooks using the Pentium M performed considerably faster than those using the Mobile Pentium 4. Pentium M processors also allow for long battery life. Some notebooks, notably ultraportables, use a 1.4K-GHz AMD Athlon XP-M, which also allows for improved battery life and performance.

System memory: Unless you're buying on the cheap, a new notebook generally includes 256MB to 512MB of system memory. Don't settle for anything less than 256MB if you want to do more than word processing and e-mail, because Windows XP and newer applications need at least that much memory. Using any less may slow down your work.

Graphics memory: You'll want 32MB or 64MB of dedicated video RAM (VRAM) if you plan to use your laptop to drive external monitors for presentations. Make sure the memory is dedicated for graphic use, rather than pulled from main memory; this is sometimes referred to as a universal (UMA) or shared (SMA) memory architecture, or as dynamic video memory technology (DVMT).

Screen: Notebook screens continue to get bigger. Even budget shoppers can afford the luxury of high-resolution color: Portables with 14.1-inch and 15-inch screens now cost as little as $1200. Some notebook manufacturers are even offering laptops with 16- and 17-inch screens.

Battery: Notebook battery life took a step forward with the introduction of the Pentium M. Battery life in units equipped with the new chip averaged roughly 3.5 hours on one battery. Some notebooks can run for up to 7 hours. Regardless of the CPU, opt for a lithium ion rechargeable battery, which lasts longer than a nickel-metal hydride one. Many vendors also offer supplemental batteries to boost battery life.

Keyboard and pointing device: Though you can get accustomed to almost any notebook keyboard, it's best to try before you buy. A thin-and-light notebook usually has smaller-than-average keys spaced more closely than on a desktop-replacement model, and their layouts may differ from a standard keyboard's.

Hard drive: You may not need the space, but notebook hard drives will continue to grow. Cheaper notebooks with 10GB hard drives are hard to find, but you can still save money by opting for a 30GB or 40GB model. Most hard drives are easy to remove if you want to keep your data safe.

Weight and bay design: Notebooks range from 8- and 9-pound all-in-one models, with both the floppy drive and the optical drive built in, to 3-pound ultraportables that rely on external drives. The once-rare midsize, one-bay notebook has become more prevalent because of its appealing balance of features and weight.

When making a purchase, you should consider the weight not only of the notebook, but of the AC adapter, any external modules, and their cables. Ultraportable notebooks have lightweight adapters but can weigh almost as much as a full-size notebook if you take along their external optical and floppy drives.