Done right, buying a notebook computer doesn't have to be a wild ride. Yes, just like when buying a desktop, the tech jargon can run pretty thick. And yes, unlike most desktops, you have to choose a weight, size and colour. But take a few minutes to do a little homework, and buying your new notebook will be as simple as 1-2-3.

Buying your notebook computer online is a reality -- you need never set foot in a store. You can buy from retailers such as Future Shop, Radio Shack or Business Depot, which has a great feature allowing you to compare the specifications and prices of similar notebooks. Or you can go completely virtual and buy from a store that's only online, such as Microson, Computer Systems Centre and Hardware Street. Another option is to buy from the manufacturer direct. Check out the online shops for companies such as Compaq, Dell and IBM. Buying direct has the advantage of customer service representatives who really know their company's computers inside and out.

Think about it first

To make an informed purchase, you're going to have to decide what you need your notebook for. Are you a student who plans to use it in the library or at your friends' houses? Or are you a true road warrior who spends as much time in an airplane as you do in your own bed? If you're the student, you might not mind carting around a few extra pounds. But if you're constantly on the go, your tolerance for heavier notebooks will be much lower.

The next step is to decide what sort of configuration you'll need. Think about screen size, how much memory and hard drive space you'll need, and what sort of peripherals or accessories -- such as a modem, printer, or DVD drive -- that you'll use on a regular basis.

Write down the configuration you've decided on, and then browse online to find the best price for the notebook that suits your needs. Once you find the prices, you might change your configuration or budget depending on what's available at what price.

The insides

If you're planning to do business presentations or use multimedia functions, you'll definitely want a strong machine. You're going to want to buy a notebook with a high-end CPU, or processor -- the chip inside your computer that essentially functions as the brain and is the biggest determinant of power and speed. You're also going to want a notebook with enough RAM (random access memory) and a sizable hard disk so you can run a few programs without slowing the computer down.

The outsides

The quality and size of your screen can really affect your computer's usability, so make sure you choose a screen that is sufficient to suit your needs. There are 2 kinds of screens today: active matrix (sometimes called TFT) and passive matrix (also known as STN, HCA or dual scan). It's generally better to get an active screen if you can. They are more expensive, but a bright, sharp screen is worth the price.

You may also want to look at buying a port replicator which allows you to have a permanent connection to your desktop peripherals, such as your printer, mouse, keyboard and monitor. "If you like to use a larger monitor and keyboard, then you should definitely buy a port at the same time that you get your notebook. Not only is it convenient, but you reduce the risk of breaking the connectors and pins by plugging and unplugging," says Adam Bender, vice president of sales at Caretek Integrated Business Solutions.

You should also be comparing portability factors such as weight and whether your drives can be left at home if you don't need them that day. A CD-ROM drive, for instance, can add weight that you don't need to carry with you all the time. Also look at battery life, or how long your computer will run between recharges. That factor alone can make you love or hate your new notebook.

Keep yourself in check

Don't forget that in the heat of computer-shopping passion, you might be tempted to buy more computer than you really need.

"One of the biggest traps that people fall into for desktops and notebooks is they go out and buy the latest and greatest," says Greg Veitch, manager of e-business in the consumer products group for Compaq. "Or they buy things they don't really need on their computer."

Keep in mind that you can buy a perfectly acceptable notebook for under $2,000. It might not have all the bells and whistles, but do you really need them? Today's lower-end computers are leaps and bounds ahead of the high-end computers that were on the market only a few years ago.

After the purchase

Sometimes bad things happen to good computers, so it's an excellent idea to learn about the warranty before you buy. Find out if both labour and parts are included and how long the warranty is good for.

Glossary

Active Matrix Screens look more like the monitor on your desk -- they're brighter, crisper and clearer than passive matrix screens, and can be seen from a wider range of angles.

DVD means digital videodisc. Similar to a CD-ROM, but it packs up to 25 times the information found on a CD-ROM.

Passive Matrix Screens are less clear and not as crisp as active matrix screens, and you have to look at them straight on.

Touchpad is the pointing device used on many notebooks in place of a mouse.

Quirks

It can happen to you. We've all heard laptop disaster stories. It fell in the river. It went through luggage check. Whatever. Check out Hewlett-Packard's "Geek For a Year" Technology Horror Story contest winners www.hp.com/pressrel/oct97/23oct97.htm for stories that will strike fear in your heart. Then visit the Compududes www.compududes.com/reviews/Panasonic.htm to see what you can do about it.