I love Walter Mossberg's Personal Technology column. He has a terrific ability to explain technology issues to business-oriented people. Earlier today, he published a brief laptop buyer's guide. Rather than try to entice readers with features of specific models, he offers advice on factors to consider before a laptop purchase is made:

• Size and Weight,
• Processor,
• Battery Life,
• Screen and Keyboard, and
• Wireless Networking.

I'm sure that a few Operation Gadget readers will find some of the advice offered here rather basic. But, friends and business associates often show me laptops that are inappropriate for the task for which they were purchased. If you are in the market for a new machine, review these guidelines before falling in love with a specific model.

One of the best uses of a guide like this is to help friends and family choose their equipment. Keep this guide in mind, because nothing Walter Mossberg says here is going to be obsolete anytime soon.