If you're like most technophiles, you're already coveting your next laptop--even if your current notebook is only a year old. But hey, we don't blame you: Many new technologies have been introduced in the portable space over the last several months. Some improvements deliver advantages you can see instantly. After all, who wouldn't want a brighter, higher-contrast screen that also uses less power? Others, such as wireless USB, are less in-your-face and have benefits that will be fully realized only with the passage of time.

Taken together, however, advancements add up to the most drool-worthy notebooks in years. But are said advancements worth paying good money for? We look at nine technologies and upgrades that are here now and tell you which actually improve your computing experience enough to be worth the price.