If you're thinking of putting a laptop under the tree for that special someone this holiday season, you need to do more than just compare configurations. There's a host of other things to consider: size, weight, warranties, accessories, media compatibility. Research is key; common sense won't hurt, either. Check out these 10 tips for a dose of both.

	Don't forget that size does matter. You don't want to give anyone a holiday hernia. Yes, compared to most desktop PCs, laptops are generally small and light--but there are big laptops, and there are small laptops. If your gift recipient spends a lot of time on the road, size and weight should be the two most critical factors in choosing a laptop--even if that means sacrificing performance and features. The smallest and lightest notebooks, known as ultraportables, weigh less than four pounds and are no thicker than a spiral-bound notebook, making them better for a traveler than a hulking desktop replacement.
	Don't get more machine than you need. Unless you're shopping systems for a hard-core gamer, a nonstop business traveler, or a genuine power user, your recipient can likely do with a less expensive laptop that's good enough to handle the basics, such as e-mail, Web browsing, light photo editing, and word processing. A mainstream or budget laptop will provide the performance and the features that you actually need without all the stuff you don't.
	Don't buy just a laptop. With Microsoft's new-and-improved Media Center OS, the laptop takes on new and interesting roles. Perfect for sprucing up a dorm room or a studio apartment, a Media Center laptop saves a student or a young professional valuable living space by doubling as a television, with TiVo-like features for pausing and recording live TV. If you can't decide whether your recipient needs a TV, a DVD player, or a laptop, you can get all three in one package with a Media Center laptop.
	Don't leave them singing the configuration blues. Many laptop vendors will let you customize a system online these days. While choice is a good thing, it can also get you in trouble if you don't know what you're doing. Before you buy, make sure you know what to look for in a notebook and avoid mistakes such as pairing slower memory with the system than the chipset can support or needlessly wasting money on a port replicator. In fact, make sure you check out CNET's laptop buying guide before you click Buy.
	Don't buy a superlight, tiny laptop and leave it at home. There are lots of small laptops that are very thin, very light, and very cool-looking. But sex appeal aside, ultraportable laptops have their drawbacks: they're quite expensive, they can't match the performance of their bigger brethren, their displays top out at 12 inches or so, they don't have internal CD or DVD drives, and they often have cramped keyboards. Unless your recipients are planning to take their laptops on the road with them on a regular basis, we recommend getting them something a little bit bigger and a lot less expensive.
	Don't forget to buy a second battery. If you're giving a laptop to someone who does a lot of traveling, a second battery is a must. When your special someone gets stuck on the tarmac at O'Hare, the extra work (or DVD-viewing) hours will make it worth the additional bucks and a few more pounds of traveling weight.
	Don't forget to find out if wireless matters. Some laptop users need only basic networking features, such as a regular Ethernet port or phone jack for dial-up Internet. Others can't live without an 802.11b or other kind of wireless hookup. Make sure you know which type of user you're buying for. Since wireless terminology can be confusing, consult our wireless networking primer for help.
	Don't forget the memory. Memory can really affect a laptop's overall performance. These days, the bare minimum you should get is 256MB, though we'd advise at least 512MB for all but the most basic users. Gamers and others looking for a superfast system need 1GB or more of RAM.
	Don't forget the software. Many laptops come with bare-bones software offerings. That's sure to frustrate your giftee when he or she fires up the laptop only to find out there's no productivity suite, such as Microsoft Works. If you're giving a laptop to a movie buff, make sure media player software is included or throw in a package to sweeten the deal.
	Don't skimp on the warranty. If the laptop you'll be buying will be banged about, consider a warranty that extends beyond one year. And if your recipient isn't a do-it-yourselfer, services such as 24/7 phone support and onsite service will be invaluable.