5 Mini-Laptops Worth Toting Around

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LAPTOPS ARE SO last year. Subnotebooks (also known as mini-notes and mini-laptops) will be the next big thing in mobile computing — at least, that's what a whole host of computer makers are banking on.

They may be on to something: Two of the top three best-selling notebook computers on Amazon (AMZN) this week are the 20 gigabyte and 12GB versions of the Asus Eee PC — a two-pound laptop about the size of a paperback. Independent research firm IDC predicts that world-wide shipments of subnotebooks and other ultra-low-cost portable computers will "grow from less than 500,000 units in 2007 to more than nine million in" 2012.

Smaller than traditional laptops but larger than handhelds, subnotebooks offer most standard laptop features — web browsing, document creation and editing, email — just slightly scaled down in terms of both size and power. Most appealing of all, they're cheap. Subnotebooks 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, subnotebooks shouldn't be confused with ultra-mobile PCs, or 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 Apple's (AAPL) MacBook Air, which sells for a pricey $1,799.

Of course, there are some tradeoffs that come with subnotebooks' 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. In addition, most subnotebooks lack CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drives so you won't be able to play movies on your computer.

Subnotebooks 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. Computer makers soon smelled a commercial opportunity for these tiny laptops. And with the 2007 release of the Asus Eee, a surprise hit for Taiwan's Asustek, the category got its jumpstart. The Eee is so popular, "now everyone is trying to copy them," says Dan Ackerman, senior editor at CNET.com.

From big-name computer makers like Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) to virtual unknowns, view our slideshow to see the latest in subnotebook offerings.

1) Asus Eee PC 900 | Starts at $550

The Asus Eee set off the subnotebook craze last year, when the first incarnation — a $400 mini-notebook with a seven-inch screen — hit store shelves. Maker Asustek has been riding its success ever since, says Ackerman. The latest Eee has a nine-inch screen, runs Windows XP or Linux operating systems and uses flash memory for local storage instead of hard disks, which makes for a lighter laptop and longer-lasting battery. (The onboard storage ranges from 4GB to 12GB, or 20GB in the Linux version). While the Eee doesn't offer top-notch performance or tons of storage (although adding a portable hard drive for extra storage capacity can help), it should suit most users' needs. One warning: The tiny keyboard makes for unwieldy typing.

5 Mini-Laptops Worth Toting Around
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Asus Eee PC 900	Everex Cloudbook	HP 2133 Mini-Note PC	Fujitsu LifeBook U810	2go PC

2) Everex Cloudbook | Starts at $399

Weighing in at a mere two pounds, the Cloudbook's name is certainly appropriate. Everex unveiled this computer, complete with seven-inch screen, 30GB hard drive and five hours of battery life, at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. Like the Eee, however, this subnotebook is designed solely for the basics — surfing the web and basic document editing — not heavy-duty graphics applications. If you want to watch YouTube all day, this is not your machine.

5 Mini-Laptops Worth Toting Around
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Asus Eee PC 900	Everex Cloudbook	HP 2133 Mini-Note PC	Fujitsu LifeBook U810	2go PC

3) HP 2133 Mini-Note PC | Starts at $499

With Hewlett-Packard joining the mini-laptop fray, it's clear that name-brand computer makers take this niche seriously. H-P launched the aluminum-encased Mini-Note in April. Geared toward business travelers, H-P managed to squeeze a nice-size keyboard into a small shell, resulting in a better typing experience than what other subnotebooks offer. The one downside, says Ackerman, is a slow processor. H-P offers the Mini-Note preconfigured with Linux, which comes with a 64GB hard drive, or Windows XP or Vista operating systems with up to 160GB of hard-drive space. But considering the Mini-Note's low-end processor, consumers may want to skip Microsoft's (MSFT) memory-hoarding Vista.

5 Mini-Laptops Worth Toting Around
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Asus Eee PC 900	Everex Cloudbook	HP 2133 Mini-Note PC	Fujitsu LifeBook U810	2go PC

4) Fujitsu LifeBook U810 | Starts at $999

On the high end of the subnotebook spectrum is the LifeBook U810. It 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 touchscreen. For those worried about theft, there's a biometric fingerprint reader. Weighing just 1.56 pounds, the LifeBook has a teeny 5.6-inch screen, so get ready to squint. The least-expensive model, at $999, comes with a 40GB hard drive and Windows Vista operating systems.

5 Mini-Laptops Worth Toting Around
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Asus Eee PC 900	Everex Cloudbook	HP 2133 Mini-Note PC	Fujitsu LifeBook U810	2go PC

5) 2go PC from CTL | Starts at $400

2go PC is definitely kid-friendly. CTL's entry into the low-cost mini-laptop was tested in elementary schools across the U.S. — hence the "drop-proof" sturdy plastic case, water-resistant keyboard and built-in carrying handle. Available at Amazon.com, the 2go weighs less than three pounds, has a full QWERTY keyboard, nine-inch screen, 40GB hard drive and a webcam. 2go is powered by Intel (INTC) processors and comes with either Windows XP or Linux.