Lightweights with a Punch

EXTERNAL FLOPPY DRIVE
A necessary evil with most ultraportable s. The Internet and networks, however, are decreasing our dependency on floppy drives to transfer files among systems.

REMOVABLE HARD DRIVE
Some ultraportables have a modular design that makes it easy to swap hard drives and upgrade when necessary.

LCD
The days of monochrome displays are gone -- color rules, and active-matrix LCDs produce the most striking tints and hues. Systems with passive-matrix and dual-scan displays are much cheaper, but you lose some pizzazz.

PC CARD SLOTS
All but four of these ultraportables support one Type III card, giving you the option of inserting two Type II cards instead.

ADJUSTABLE FEET
Many ultraportables have adjustable feet that let you angle the keyboard to a comfortable typing position.

POINTING DEVICE
Everybody has an opinion on which pointing device is best. Trackballs centered below the keyboard are general ly the norm. However, we're starting to see more eraserhead pointing devices (e.g., IBM's TrackPoint III) on ultraportables and notebooks.

BATTERY
Ultraportables with lithium-ion batteries generally outlast those with nicad and nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries, but the latter are less expensive.