Smaller than traditional laptops but larger than handhelds, mini-laptops offer most of the features you get from their bulky ancestors – web browsing, document creation, editing, and email – just slightly scaled down in terms of both size and power. Most appealing of all, they’re cheap. Mini-laptops range from $299 (for the most bare-bones version of the Asus Eee) up to $1,399 for a fully-loaded Fujitsu LifeBook U810. Though there’s some category overlap, mini-laptops shouldn’t be confused with ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs), which more closely resemble handhelds and cost more (prices range from about $700 to $1,500) and the more-powerful ultra-portable PCs, such as Lenovo’s ThinkPad X300, which sells for a pricey $2,420.

Of course, there are some tradeoffs that come with mini-laptops‘ bargain basement prices.

“You’re not going get a super-powerful processor in there, and usually you’re limited on storage space,” says Ian Bell, editor in chief of Digital Trends, a consumer-technology analysis site NP-BG1 fit NP-FG1.

In addition, most subnotebooks lack CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drives so you won’t be able to play movies on your computer.

Mini-laptops trace their roots back to the One Laptop Per Child project, a program started by an MIT professor with the goal of providing every child in the developing world with a $100 laptop.KODAK KLIC-5001 Computer manufacturing companies soon took advantage of the commercial opportunity these tiny laptops created. With the 2007 release of the Asus Eee, a surprise hit for Taiwan’s Asustek, mini-laptops got their jumpstart.

The Eee is so popular, “now everyone is trying to copy them,” says Dan Ackerman, senior editor at CNET.com and Ecsem.net.

A slew of Taiwanese vendors unveiled models at June’s Computer expo, but rival products from big brands like Dell are on the way, too. Many use Intel’s power-efficient Atom CPU along with solid-state disk (SSD) drives, for better battery life, boot times, and shock resistance.

1. Asus Eee PC 4G XP

Overview: The popular low-cost Asus Eee PC makes a play for mainstream acceptance, adding Windows XP to create an impressive package for portable Web surfing and basic productivity, making it a near-flawless choice for a highly portable second laptop.

Specs:

- OS: Windows XP canon BP-511

- Processor: 900MHz Intel Celeron M ULV

- RAM installed: 512 MB DDR II SDRAM

- Screen size: 7″

- Weight: 2 lbs.

Price: $399

2. Acer Aspire One

Overview: The Aspire one has the potential to be a very solid mini-notebook at an incredibly competitive price. At $379, this system is cheaper than the Eee PC 4G XP, while offering a powerful Atom processor and a 1024×600 resolution screen.

Specs:

- OS: Linux

- Processor: 1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270

- RAM installed: 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM

- Screen size: 8.9″

- Weight: 2.2 lbs.

Price: $379

3. Everex Cloudbook CE1200V

Overview: If you’re the type of user that loves a challenge and doesn’t mind tweaking Linux applications, the CloudBook is worth a look. However, if you’re looking for a mini-notebook that’s ready to use out of the box, you’ll be better off with the Eee PC.

Specs:

- OS: gOS V2 Rocket

- Processor: 1.2 GHz VIA C7-M

- RAM installed: 512 MB DDR2 SDRAM

- Screen size: 7″

- Weight: 2 lbs.

Price: $399

4. Fujitsu LifeBook U810

Overview: The Fujitsu LifeBook U810 sports most of the functions of a regular laptop, but is about one-third the size. The U810’s clamshell screen swivels to become a tablet where you can make handwritten notes on a touch screen. Canon Eos 5D battery For those worried about theft, there’s a biometric fingerprint reader.

Specs:

- OS: Windows Vista Business with Office OneNote 2007

- Processor: 800MHz Intel A110

- RAM installed: 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM

- Screen size: 5.6″

- Weight: 1.8 lbs.

Price: $999

5. HP 2133 Mini-Note

Overview: While it’s bigger and pricier than other mini-notebooks, the HP 2133 Mini-Note offers important features that the others don’t, including an full-sized keyboard and a design more suited to business users. If you require more from your mini-laptop and don’t mind paying for it, this one is for you.

Sony Cybershot Dsc-H10 battery Specs:

- OS: Genuine Windows Vista Business or Home Basic 32, FreeDoS, or SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10

- Processor: 1.6 Ghz VIA C7-M ULV

- RAM installed: 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM

- Screen size: 8.9″

- Weight: 3.1 lbs.

Price: $749

6. CTL 2go PC

Overview: The CTL 2go PC may not be a stellar performer, but considering its intended users, it doesn’t have to be. Its rugged design, long battery life, and lightweight chassis all add to this mini-laptop’s appeal. However, the 2go PC’s small keyboard and lack of video input make it a better choice for kids than for road warriors.

Specs:

- OS: Windows XP Home or Linux

- Processor: 900MHz Intel Celeron M

- RAM installed: 512 MB DDR2 SDRAM

- Screen size: 9″

- Weight: 3 lbs.

Price: $400

7. DELL E-Series – Coming soon in August

Overview: Formerly known as mini Inspiron, Dell’s new line of subnotebooks will be named the Dell E Series. Actually there will be 2 models, a 8.9″ model and a 12.1″ one. This line of mini-laptops is targeted for kids and youth in general with purposes such as social networking/entertainment and mobile web/communication.

Specs:

- Display: 8.9″ and 12.1″

- Processor: 1.6 Ghz Intel Diamondville

- HDD: 4/8/16 SSD

- Memory: 512/1024 MB

- Camera: 0.3 Mp

- Wireless: WiFi, BT, WiMax, WWAN

- Battery: 4 cell 35Whr (~5 hr)

- OS: Linux, WinXP

- Personalization: 3-5 colors

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