If you don't want to be chained to your desk, a laptop gives you the freedom to get out and about. Buying a laptop no longer means sacrificing features or grunt, although there is the option of a pint-sized "netbook" with small price tag to match.

What to look for in Laptops

Laptops are complex devices with many different features.  When researching your purchase make sure you consider the key features listed below.

The Screen

Start with screen size, remembering screens are measured diagonally. Netbook screens vary between 7 and 10 inches, while laptops go up to around 18 inches. Some feature an LED backlit display, which offers a brighter picture yet saves on power. High gloss displays offer vivid images, but the trade-off is screen glare. Matte displays with an anti-glare coating are better suited to working outdoors. The release of Windows 7 has also seen a rise in the number of touchscreen laptops that let you write on the screen with a stylus or your finger.

Weight

Keep in mind the size of the screen will also dictate the size of the keyboard and trackpad as well as the overall weight of the laptop. Tiny netbooks can weigh in just under 1kg, while 18 inch monster laptops can tip the scales at well over 4kg.

Processor Type, Speed and Memory

If you're primarily looking for web and email access, you don't need too much grunt under the bonnet - the Intel 1.6GHz Atom processors found in netbooks with 1GB of RAM should meet your needs. If you're looking at video editing or serious gaming then look towards something like an Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 2GB of RAM.

Storage (Hard Disk)

Netbooks tend to ditch the DVD drive to shed weight, while some also opt for a solid state drive (SSD) - with no moving parts - to cut down on weight and power consumption. SSDs are expensive and generally offer less storage space than traditional hard drives.

Wireless Connectivity

Bluetooth wireless connectivity lets you talk to mobile phones and other gadgets, while wireless networking (802.11b/g also known as Wi-Fi) should come standard for connecting to your home network and wifi hotspots. Many laptops are also compatible with the faster 802.11n, although some will only connect to 'n' networks running at 2.4GHz, not 5GHz. A few laptops even have room for a SIM card so you can connect directly to a mobile broadband network.

Connecting Printers and Cameras

When it comes to connectivity, look for the usual suspects such as at least USB2.0 ports, a memory card reader, a monitor output and an Ethernet port for connecting to your home network via cables rather than wireless.

Webcams and Video Conferencing

Most laptops also feature a built-in webcam for video conferencing using software like Skype. Cheaper laptops tend to feature a low-res VGA webcam rather than a sharper 1.3 megapixel model.