If you always use the notebook where it can be plugged in, battery life is not a significant issue. If you fly to Asia on a regular basis, it is. Many people regularly use their notebooks plugged into AC power, so battery life is not much of an issue. If you work on airline flights or experience the occasional rolling blackout, battery life can be vitally important and an extra battery can be a must. Ideally, you ll want a battery to last at least the length of your typical flight.
Battery technology continues to improve, but be wary of claims for very long battery life.
In general, the bigger, the better, but remember that 2 gigabyte drives were the standard only two years ago, so a 10 gigabye hard drive is pretty large. A large drive is best for desktop replacement notebooks or, if, for example, you want to carry around litigation support databases and document images. Again, assess your specific needs, but the standard hard drive option offered with most advertised notebooks will serve most lawyers well. Notebook keyboards are smaller than desktop keyboards. A hands-on test is essential in deciding how well a keyboard will work for you.