A buyer's guide to notebook computers is presented. Large active-matrix screens, 800x600 SVGA capability and multimedia support are now the norm. Today's newest high-end laptops measure about 9 by 12 inches and weigh up to 8.5 pounds, packing in fast CD-ROM drives and screens measuring at least 12.1 inches diagonally. New processors for notebooks include the 150MHz and 166MHz Pentium MMX CPUs designed for mobile use; earlier generations of notebooks used 100MHz, 120MHz and 133MHz Pentiums. The price premium for MMX can be high, but the enhanced multimedia performance is often worth it for those who make presentations on the road, especially if the notebook is the user's only computer. Some laptop vendors use Intel's bulkier and more power-hungry desktop CPUs; such models often need large cooling fans and have a short battery life. Users should select 1GB to 2GB hard drives and look for machines with good built-in audio. Forward-looking notebooks support the CardBus standard for 32-bit PC Cards. Lithium-ion batteries are increasingly common and last longer than NiMH batteries but are expensive.