Fast Forward		Portable Computers at Affordable Prices Until recently, laptop computers were painfully expensive, but in the past nine months, prices have come down to earth. Our guide considers cost, performance and other important features in several laptops typical of today's market. Sub-Laptops: Less Is Less Fujitsu Lifebook 270DX IBM Thinkpad 310ED Compaq Armada 1505DM Acer Extensa 367D NEC Mobilepro 750C Psion Series 5 Clue Procurement: Good Hardware Gone Bad The age old dilemma persists: When equipment dies, is it worth repairing? A reporter provides tips on how to come out ahead. E-Mail Bonding: How to Choose a Free Service The last two years have borne witness to a proliferation of free e-mail services. How does a person settle on the right one? InputOutput: Readers Fire Back