For years I've been on a mission; to find the smallest, most affordable, useable device which will allow me to be productive on the road. After a brief flirtation with Windows CE, I came to the conclusion that, as a web content provider, there was no way those machines could help me until they support Java, have their own Acrobat Reader and a useable HTML editor. (BSquare has a simple one just available as part of its BUseful suite of utilities, but it doesn't have enough horsepower for my needs). Plus, I hated having to buy new software because standard Windows apps wouldn't run on the stripped-down OS.

I have fallen in love with the new super-slim laptops like the Sony Vaio, but unfortunately most still do not fall under the heading of affordable (i.e. under $1000). The small, light laptops which have fallen in price, either because they are refurbished or they've been discontinued, are listed on the Laptops page, but the ones I am watching for the day that they fall in price are listed below for reference.

Fujitsu Lifebook B112 - P233MMX, 3.2GB, 32MB (up to 96) memory, 56K built-in modem, pen-enabled, Win 98. Removable port replicator. MSRP: $1,599.

Metrobook SLT - P233MMX, Win 98, USB, pen-enabled, 2.9 lbs. CD ROM option.

Ricoh Magio 4G - P266MMX, 4GB, up to 128MB memory, pen-enabled, 3 PC Card slots, 2 built-in batteries, Win 98, 2.75 lbs.