I got the Ultra Mini PC (UMPC) for Christmas that I was hoping for.
It is even smaller and lighter than I expected — about the size of a thin hardback book (Not a Clancy book!). It’s a full PC — in fact it would have been state-of-the-art 5 years ago or so, with a 900 MHz Intel Celeron Mobile chip, 512 MB of RAM and 4GB of (solid state) hard drive. It comes loaded with a version of Linux, though you can install Windows XP if you want. I don’t think I want to; there’s no need.
The keyboard is a little small, and I have been making frequent typos as I write this, but the more I type the better I get. I think with a little practice it will be quite comfortable to type on. The screen is also a little small, but quite usable.
The big advantage is the small size and weight. I can throw this in my suitcase or backpack (almost in my pocket) and hardly know it’s there.
It’s marketed as an easy-to-use computer for kids or new users, but it has found a much broader appeal.
If you need a very small, light, cheap computer for travel or whatever, you should consider this baby.