Laptop computers.

SELECT THE RIGHT TYPE

Use these descriptions to decide which type of laptop suits your needs. Then use the table at right to determine which brands offer it. Then review "Assess Repair History" and "Consider Technical Support," below, to narrow your choice of brand.

Budget friendly. Some models are priced at $800 or less. The trade-off: Slower processors and lower screen quality than you'll find on other types. We covered laptops in this price class in the March issue.

Workhorse. Powerful and versatile (and the type we tested for this report). All ports and drives are built in, so you don't have to bother with plugging in and unplugging external attachments. Prices start at $1,000. The trade-off: They're not lightweight or battery-efficient enough for frequent travelers.

Slim and light. These weigh just 3 pounds and are designed for low-power usage and maximum battery life. Prices start at $1,500. The trade-off: Screens are often small, and processors sacrifice speed for battery life.

Tablet style. They sit in your hands like a clipboard and include handwriting-recognition technology; you jot notes directly on the screen and don't need a keyboard. Some are convertible to a traditional laptop with keyboard. Prices start at $1,800. The trade-off: Slow processors, lower display quality.

Highly configurable. These systems, priced from $1,600 to $3,000, include two bays for removable extras such as a hard drive, a spare battery, or a DVD drive. That gives you the option of lightening your load when you travel. The trade-off: Highly configurable laptops use only drives made by the computer's manufacturer, which are relatively expensive.