Take Note More powerful than many desktop computers, today's notebooks are packed with features.

Traveling businesspeople who need the power of their officecomputers on the road can find it in the newest high-performance,feature-rich notebook computers. Outstripping their full-sized 486desktop brothers, these small machines have faster processors,larger hard drives, more memory, more flexibility and greatercapabilities than many 2- or 3-year-old desktop PCs.

High-performance notebooks--characterized by their 8-by-11-inchsize--have multimedia capabilities and include CD-ROM drives,stereo speakers, speedy built-in modems, color display screens, avariety of ports for PC cards and connectors, microphone and phonejacks, and docking capability once you're back at your office.Some have an "open architecture" that allows you to buildthe notebook to your personal specifications.

Except for ultra-thin models, extra features tend to add bulkand weight to portable computers, even though many notebooksincorporate slots for interchangeable components such as CD-ROM,floppy disk and backup drives, and extra battery packs.

Although you can, of course, leave some of the components athome, most mobile BIZ Experiencess need multimedia versions to taketheir offices with them, especially if they are makingpresentations or videoconferencing. But remember, extra cables andplugs add pounds to your luggage--and dollars to your total.

If it's speed you're after, the new notebooks'"brains" work faster than ever, many offering 150 MHz. Topower that speed, rechargeable batteries provide two to six hoursof operation. Some notebooks have a "sleep" mode to savepower; most have a backup battery.

Prices for high-performance notebooks have not decreased withtheir growing popularity: Standard models still hover around$2,500; those with greater speed and muscle cost up to $5,000.(Remember, street prices can be hundreds of dollars lower.)

Almost every notebook on the market is powered by Intel'sPentium chip, which is swifter than a 486 but uses more batterypower; hence the expansion bay for an extra pack. Most of the newmodels have upgradable RAM for more memory and can use severalapplications simultaneously.

Lower-end models, such as AST's Ascentia P series, areexpandable to 40MB RAM. Higher-end models, includingPanasonic's CF-25 series, are expandable to 72MB RAM, and theHitachi Mx series to
80MB RAM. The more memory you add, however, the higher theprice.

Multimedia, which combines video, audio and graphics for takingyour show on the road, is accommodated in notebook computersthrough multiple stereo speakers or ports to connect externalspeakers, removable CD-ROM drives, and ports to hook up to largemonitors or screens.

Display screens are larger this year, and it's rare to finda high-performance notebook screen smaller than 11.3 inches; infact, many have 12.1-inch screens. Trackpads, usually located frontand center, are more popular on the new notebooks, although somehave a port for connecting an external mouse.

Docking capabilities--relatively new for notebook computers butbecoming commonplace--allow you to plug in to your full-sizeddesktop components once you've brought your notebook home. Ifdesk space is at a premium, a dockable high-performance notebooktakes up less room and does double duty for road warriors whenit's time to upgrade or replace your desktop hard drive withoutgetting rid of your standard keyboard and monitor.

Shopping for a notebook can be simple if you:

• determine how much speed and performance you need--the fasterthe processor, the higher the price.

• take the time to comparison shop. Ask to see the entire line ofa series, then discuss lower- and higher-end versions withsalespeople before coming to a decision.

• make a list of must-have features, then add like-to-havefeatures depending on your budget.

• decide how fast you need your CD-ROM drive to be--the faster itis, the more expensive.

• calculate how many ports you need for printers, modems,networking, hard drives, CD-ROM drives, scanners, speakers, jacks,three-plug connectors, an external mouse and a keyboard.

• buy from a company that has a solid reputation and servicerecord.

• check out warranties.

Contact Sources

Kiwi, 2314 Walsh Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95051.

Jill Amadio is a writer in Newport Beach, California.