You've got too much luggage already, so the last thing you need is a bulky notebook weighing you down. That's why you're in the market for an ultraportable--a sub-three pounder you can slip into your bag when on the run. But as notebooks become smaller and more portable, you'll have to be even more careful before laying down a couple grand. After all, just because a notebook is easy to whip out on that flight from SFO to EWR doesn't mean it's the right one for you. Here, we provide three can't-be-ignored tips for purchasing a new ultraportable, plus three notebooks that offer the best bang for your buck.

 

1. Demand long battery life.
There's no use paying extra for a lightweight machine only to have to carry a power brick and an extra battery or two. Look for an ultraportable that delivers at least four hours of runtime per charge. Some models can even squeeze out eight hours for true all-day computing away from an outlet.

 

2. Don't skimp on the optical drive.
Many PC makers omit the optical drive in their ultraportables to save size and weight. But to us, the inconvenience of not having an optical drive when you need it-or having to carry and keep track of an external drive and its cable-is not a worthwhile tradeoff. So we recommend you look first at machines that include a built-in DVD drive.

 

3. Test out that keyboard.
There's no way around it: A compact machine necessitates a smaller screen and keyboard. The key is finding an ultraportable you feel comfortable using. Widescreen panels are becoming the norm, replacing the 4:3 screens of previous generations. That 16:9 shape means a wider keyboard is possible, so the most important keys are generally close to full size.

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