The Lay of the Laptop LandThe laptop market has undergone major changes in the past few years, and theres likely to be more confusion in the notebook aisle now than at any other time. Todays models encompass everything from featherweight, business-savvy ultraportables that barely tip the scales at less than 2 pounds, to lap-crushing gaming behemoths of 10 pounds or more.Your standard laptop doesnt look the way it once did, either, with dozens of convertible designs that rethink the standard clamshell to take advantage of touch interfaces. Some laptops double as tablets, with hinges that bend and fold, while other touch-enabled PCs are actually slate tablets that come with hardware keyboards for notebook-style use. Theres simply too much variety in the laptop space for one size or style to fit every persons needs.Thats where this buying guide comes in. Well brief you on all the latest designs and specs, and parse the current trends, helping you figure out which features you need and how to find the laptop you really want.Picking Your Laptop By SizeFinding the Best 12- to 13-Inch LaptopAt the small-screen end of the spectrum, 12- and 13-inch laptops, or ultraportables (more on these below), are worth considering if you plan on toting your laptop. These models are small enough to weigh 3 pounds or less, but large enough that they include a full-size keyboard and a decent size-screen. The downside is that port selection tends to be minimal due to the limited amount of room available on side panels. These laptops usually serve simple needs like surfing the web or modest word processing, and theyre a good choice for business travelers who need to tote a laptop frequently. Smaller 10- and 11-inch laptops (now less common than they used to be) have even less room for ports, and will have smaller keyboards and space between the keys, so youll have to adjust your typing style to accommodate.Place...