Computers, phones, & peripherals: portable and versatile.

Faster. Lighter. More powerful. These are the constant imperatives for computing and mobile communications gear makers and users alike. The latest laptops and cell phones offer unprecedented connectedness that even James Bond would admire. Chip speeds, network improvements, and design innovation are driving spectacular growth in digital capabilities. Where the smallest devices once commanded premium pricing, now smaller is often cheaper, too.

A sign of the times: more laptops are being bought by consumers than ever before. Desktop computers are becoming commodity products, with prices as low as $300 for speedy models. Starting at $400, laptops at all price points can challenge their desktop counterparts on speed and capability. And why remain tethered to a power cord and network cabling when Wi-Fi wireless connectivity beckons? (For those who prefer the heft and expandability of desktop computers, larger, thinner monitors with wide-screen proportions are changing the look of home offices and living rooms.)

Among other trends shaping computing and communications hardware, you'll find:

Cell phones sizzle. Mobile telephony is no longer just a matter of voice and text messaging. Most new cell phones allow you to check e-mail, browse the Web, play games, and take photos. Wireless video and TV can use improvement, but models that double as MP3 players are handy hybrids. Top-of-the-line models called smart phones combine personal digital assistant (PDA) capabilities with mobile phoning so you can make voice calls or directly connect to the Internet at near wired broadband ...