I am currently looking for a new laptop...
One of the most important things for me is having a lightweight machine. Very light is very important! It doesn't have to be too small but I need lightness as I carry it everyday everywhere I go. Durability is just as important as I take it all over the place on a motorbike! That's why the Panasonic Let's Note was a good choice 3.5 years ago (very durable, lightweight, and a nice size). I was hoping to spend much less and get something else good this time too. Before my Panasonic, I had a Toshiba Tecra that was too big and heavy and fell apart on a regular basis. It was a pretty decent laptop but a real lemon. I have seen the new Toshiba laptops and they are a zillion times different. They look and feel more durable. However, I am still a bit concerned about getting another one. I probably won't touch the Sony Viaos for the same reason. While they look like beautiful lightweight technology, I am really concerned about their durability.
Ordering internationally is not always possible – it usually depends on the company’s willingness to do so. There can sometimes be problems – some places won’t ship to Japan or the cost of shipping is extremely high. However, there are ways around that (ie) have it shipped to a friend or family member in North America, and have them ship it to me from there.
One more thing… I often like to run several applications simultaneously. How important is memory? I upgraded my current machine from 1 to 2GB of RAM. I know that some new laptops have 8GB of RAM. However, I don’t think it’s easy to get them without compromising the size and price of the laptop. Speed is one of my primary operating concerns.