Ultra-portable wireless laptop? Sep20 '08

Does a product like this exist?

I'm looking for an ultra-portable wireless laptop, one that I can quickly flip open anywhere in the world and instantly be online. It would not be anything fancy. It would obviously have a full keyboard, maybe run Linux, and smaller in size. I simply want to toss it in my work bag, whip it out anytime, etc. I don't need a fancy laptop carrier bag, or anything like that. This would be durable, yet reliable.

I'd say it would be a step up from my iPhone, but a step-down from my normal laptop that I use around the house.

I'd also compare it to a Flip camcorder - you just whip it out, turn it on, and boom - you're ready to use it.

I'd like to use this ultra-portable laptop in any old spot I decide to sit down - on the train, while waiting at the dentist office, etc. It would not be a burden to carry around because it would be smaller in size - just enough to fit a full keypad.

I wouldn't need lots of local hard drive space or processing power, as this would be purely an "internet based" laptop. Every application I need would be accessed through a web browser. Linux would suffice since I don't care about the local OS.

I would not expect to pay more than $400 for such a laptop. Linux is free, and I don't need any special hardware.

The most important feature is ubiquitous wireless access, through some sort of wireless card. Obviously in WiFi zones, I'd pick up that signal just like my iPhone does. The laptop should come bundled with a plan that offers wireless access anywhere in the world, perhaps for a small monthly fee. Or, you could use your existing wireless plan somehow. (I know there's a way to connect your iPhone to a laptop and use the AT&T network on the computer to browse the net.)

Something like this has to exist, but I don't know what it is.

Apple makes the MacBook Air, but that's an expensive comparison. Plus I don't need all the local software they bundle with it, and the fancier hardware.

Dell makes the Inspiron Mini, which looks closer to what I'm picturing, but still not quite.

I'm looking for a purely internet-based laptop; that's all it does, and all it's marketed for.

Categories: Computers , Ideas , Wireless

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