Comprehensive list of low-cost ultraportables

Over the past six months or so, Asus, Everex, and HP have managed to bring low-cost ultraportable notebooks to market. But dozens of other computer makers have promised to bring out their own mini-notebooks. Some will run Linux, while others will be preloaded with Windows XP or Vista. Some will have flash memory, while others will have hard drives. But every one will be smaller, lighter, and cheaper than most existing laptop computers. Here's a roundup of some of the computers that have been announced or are already available.

Asus Eee PC 701

The Asus Eee PC builds on the concepts originated by the OLPC XO Laptop and Intel's Classmate PC. But unlike those low cost ultraportables, Asus has marketed the Eee PC to consumers since day one. And the success of the original Eee PC 701 has sparked a whole new trend in mobile computing.
Processor: Intel Celeron 800 or 900MHz, underclocked to 571MHz or 630MHz
RAM: 512MB to 1GB
Storage: 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB solid state flash memory
Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
Expansion: 3 USB ports, 1 VGA output, 1 SDHC card slot
Operating System: Xandros Linux or Windows XP
Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g
Webcam: 0.3 megapixels
Weight: .92kilograms / 2 pounds
Battery: 4 cell 4400mAh or 5200mAh battery for between 2 and 3 hours of battery life (with a claimed battery life of up to 3.5 hours)
Price: $299 to $499

Dreambook Light IL1

Australia's Pioneer Computers announced the Dreambook Light IL1 back in February. And while it doesn't sport a 9 inch screen or next generation processor, it's sure pretty to look at.
Processor: 1GHz VIA C7-M ULV CPU
RAM: 512MB to 1GB
Storage: 40GB to 80GB 1.8 inch PATA hard drive
Display:7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
Operating System: Ubuntu, Windows XP, or Windows Vista
Expansion: multimedia card reader
Connectivity:
Webcam:
Weight:
Battery: 1.1 kilogram / 2.4 pounds
Price: $499 Australian, or about $450 US

Everex Cloudbook Everex

Everex was the second company to release a consumer oriented subnotebook. But many feel that this product was poorly thought out and quickly rushed to market. Early models shipped with software that was not optimized for the computer's small screen
Processor: 1.2 GHz VIA C7 Mobile processor
RAM: 512MB
Storage: 30GB hard drive
Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
Expansion: DVI-I output, 2 USB ports, 4-in-1 media card reader
Operating System: gOS Linux (based on Ubuntu)
Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g
Webcam: 0.3 megapixels
Weight: 2 pounds
Battery:4 cells
Price: $399

HP 2133 Mini-Note

In April, HP launched its Eee PC competitor, the HP 2133 Mini-Note. The computer has a sleeker, more professional look than the Eee PC or Cloudbook, but it also weighs close to three pounds, while the competition weighs just 2. The Mini-Note is also more expensive than the competition, but you get a larger screen and more storage for your money.
Processor: 1GHz - 1.6GHz VIA C7 Mobile Processor
RAM: 512MB to 2GB
Storage: 4GB solid state flash memory or 120GB/160GB hard drive
Display: 8.9 inch 1280 x 768 pixel screen
Expansion: VGA output, 2 USB ports, Express Card slot, SD card slot
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Business, or OpenSUSE Linux
Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth on some models
Webcam: VGA
Weight: 2.8 pounds
Battery: 3 cells or 6 cells
Price: $499 through $849

Coming Soon

Asus Eee PC 900

The Asus Eee PC 900 is already available in Hong Kong, and is set to hit Europe and the US in the coming weeks. This is the second generation Eee PC and features some nice improvements like additional storage space, a larger display, and more RAM.
Processor:900MHz Celeron processor
RAM: 1GB
Storage: 12GB or 20GB flash memory
Display: 8.9 inch 1024 x 600 pixel screen
Expansion:VGA output, 3 USB ports, SDHC card slot
Operating System: Windows XP or Xandros Linux
Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g
Webcam: 1.3 megapixels
Weight: .99 kilograms / 2.2 pounds
Battery: 4400 or 5800 mAh 4-cell batteries
Price: $549
Availability: May 12th in the US, May 28th in France

ECS G10IL

This little computer has all the best features of the Eee PC 701, plus one extra treat: HSDPA support.
Processor: Intel Atom CPU
RAM: Up to 2GB
Storage: 80GB hard drive or flash storage
Display: 8.2 or 10.2 inch screen
Expansion: VGA output, 3 USB ports, 4-in-1 multi card reader
Operating System: Linux or Windows XP
Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g, HSDPA or HSUPA, Bluetooth, and a 56k modem
Webcam: 1.3 megapixels
Weight: .92kilograms / 2 pounds
Battery: 4 or 6 cell batteries
Price: $500

Everex Cloudbook Max

Asus isn't the only company looking preparing to launch a second generation low-cost ultraportable. While Asus is building on the success of the Eee PC 701, you could argue that Everex is building on the failure of the Everex Cloudbook which hasn't gained the traction the Eee PC has. But the Cloudbook Max does look like quite an improvement over the original Cloudbook, and might actually be worth considering.
Processor: 1.6GHz VIA processor
RAM: 2GB
Storage: 80GB hard drive
Display:8.9 inch 1024 x 600 pixel screen
Expansion: VGA, S-Video output, 3 USB ports, 4-in-1 card reader
Operating System:Windows Vista
Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth, GPS and WiMAX support
Webcam: 2 megapixels
Weight: 2.2 pounds
Battery: 4 hour battery
Price: N/A
Availability: N/A

MSI Wind

While MSI isn't a household name, the upcoming MSI Wind laptop could change that. The computer has an attractive look, should be available as early as June, and skips over that whole "let's put a 7 inch screen in a little computer" thing and matches the second generation Asus and Everex computers right from the get go.
Processor: Intel processors between 1GHz and 1.6GHz
RAM: 1GB
Storage: 80GB hard drive
Display: 8.9 inch 1024 x 600 pixel screen
Expansion: 3 USB ports, VGA output, SD card reader
Operating System: Windows XP Home
Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth
Webcam: 1.3 megapixels
Battery:3 cells
Weight: 1.2 kilograms / 2.6 pounds
Price: Reportedly between €299 and €699
Availability: Should be available in Europe in June. No word on a US release.

Recently Announced

2Go PC


The 2Go PC will likely be the first computer to market sporting Intel's Netbook reference design for the Classmate PC 2. While this computer is intended primarily for educational use, CTL, the company behind the 2Go does plan to sell the laptop to consumers.
Processor: Intel Celeron M 900MHz
RAM:512MB or 1GB
Storage:40GB 1.8 inch 4200 PATA hard drive
Display: 9 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
Expansion: SD/MMC card reader, 2 USB ports
Operating System: Windows XP or Linux
Connectivity: 802.11 b/g with support for open mesh
Webcam: VGA
Battery: 4 cells, 3 hours battery life
Weight: Less than 3 pounds
Price: $400 to $500
Availability: N/A

3k Longitude

This could be one of the least impressive ultraportables announced in recent times. When it was first announced, the machine reportedly has just 1GB of flash memory, although now the product page says 4GB. But the price has also risen from $399 to $499.
Processor: 400MHz CPU
RAM: 512MB
Storage: 4GB flash memory
Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel display
Expansion:3 USB ports, SD card reader
Operating System: "Genuine Linux"
Connectivity: Ethernet, WiFi
Weight: Under 2 pounds
Price: $499
Availability: Late May

ACi Ultra-mini

It's not clear whether the ACi Ultra-mini will be available outside of India, but I certainly hope so. This little computer features a solar panel that is suppose to help extend the machine's battery life to as much as 12 hours.
Processor: VIA 1GHz ULV
RAM: 512MB to 2GB
Storage: 40GB HDD
Display:7 inch screen, with a touch screen in the higher end models
Operating System: The pictures seem to show it running Windows Vista
Connectivity: WiFi and Bluetooth
Webcam: Yes
Weight: N/A
Price: Rs 15,000 which is less than $400 US to Rs 22,000 or $549 US
Availability: N/A

Airis Kira

This computer seems to be built from the same reference design as the Nohrtec Gecko (see below), but comes in a variety of pretty colors.
Processor: 1GHz VIA C7
RAM: 512MB
Storage: 2GB flash memory
Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
Operating System: Linpus Linux Lite
Expansion: SD/MMC/MS/CF card reader
Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g, 56kbps modem
Webcam: Yes
Weight: 1 kilogram, or about 2.2 pounds
Battery: 4 hour battery
Price: €299 or about $470
Availability:N/A

Blue Digital Systems Deep Blue

Blue Digital Systems is a Philippine company that you've probably never heard of. It's not clear if their Eee PC clone will be available outside of the Philippines.
Processor: 1GHz VIA Esther CPU
RAM: 1GB
Storage:40GB hard drive
Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
Operating System: Linux or Windows XP Home
Expansion: 2 USB, card reader
Connectivity:Ethernet, 802.11b/g
Webcam: Yes
Weight:1.2 kilograms / 2.6 pounds
Battery: 4.5 hours battery life
Price: 16,995 Philippine Pesos, or about $405
Availability: N/A

Elonex One

The Elonex One is a low-cost notebook aimed at the UK market. What makes this computer unique are its low price and unique design: the keyboard snaps off and you can use the Elonex One in tablet mode
Processor: Aday5F-300MHz x86
RAM: 128MB or 256MB
Storage: 1GB or 2GB flash memory
Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel display
Operating System: Linux
Expansion: 2 USB ports
Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g (optional), Bluetooth (optional)
Webcam: Optional 2 megapixel camera
Weight: 950 grams (with keyboard) / 2.1 pounds
Battery: 3 cell, 2200mAh battery
Price: Starts at £100 or about $200 US

Fukato Datacask

Germany's Fukato announced the Datacask in mid-April. This computer features a slowish processor, which might be great for battery life. But it also has a mediocre screen and storage capacity.
Processor: 500MHz AMD Geode LX CPU
RAM: 512MB
Storage: 20GB 1.8 inch hard drive
Display:8 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
Operating System: Linux
Battery: 3 hours
Price, availabilitym, and other info N/A

HCL MiLeap X

India's HCL Infosystems is bringing two different computers to market under the MiLeap name. The MiLeap X is a low cost computer that looks like it uses Intel's Netbook/Classmate reference design. The Y Series is a bit fancier, pricier, and looks more like a UMPC than a laptop. So we'll just look at the MiLeap X here, but you can read more about both on Eee Site.
Procesor: 900MHz Intel Celeron Processor
RAM: 512MB
Storage: 2GB flash memory
Display: 7 inch 800 x 600 pixel screen
Expansion: SD card reader, 2 USB ports
Connectivity: 802.11b/g
Battery: 6 cell battery good for 4 hours
Weight: 1.44 kilograms / 3.2 pounds
Price: $350

Jisus

This little notebook with a funny name comes in a variety of colors, and that's pretty much its selling point. But it looks like a respectable alternative to the Eee PC, and matches the original Eee PC almost spec for spec, with the exceptions of the screen size (but not resolution), processor and stated battery life.
Processor: 1GHz 64-bit Loongson 2F
RAM: 512MB
Storage:4GB flash memory
Display: 8.9 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
Operating System: Ubuntu Linux
Expansion: 2 USB ports
Connectivity:Ethernet, 802.11b/g
Battery: "4.5 hours of wireless productivity"
Price: £299
Availability: May 25th

Kohjinsha SCC

This ultraportable will cost a few bucks more than some of the entry level low-cost notebooks. But its screen flips back so you can use it in tablet mode. And how can you put a price on that?
Processor: 500MHz AMD Geode LX800
RAM: 512MB
Storage: 80GB hard drive
Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
Operating System: Windows XP Home (not tablet)
Expansion: 2 USB ports, 3-in-1 card reader, VGA output
Connectivity:Ethernet, 802.11b/g
Weight: 945 grams / 2.1 pounds
Price: ¥59,800 to ¥59,800 or about $592 to $780 US

Medion Akoya Mini

This is one of the newest entires, and one of the most intriguing. The Medion Akoya Mini has the polished look of the HP Mini-Note, but it will run the Intel Atom CPU and sport a 10 inch screen, which is about as large as you can go and still be considered an ultraportable
Processor: 1.6GHz or 1.8GHz Intel Atom CPU
RAM: 1GB or more
Storage: 1.8 inch hard drive
Display: 10 inch screen (unknown resolution)
Operating System: Windows XP or Linux (unknown distribution)
Expansion: 2 USB ports, memory card reader, VGA output
Webcam: 1.3 megapixels
Connectivity:Ethernet, 802.11b/g
Price: €399 or about $640 US

Noahpad

The Noahpad is one of the wackiest ultrportables around. At first, it looks like a typical Eee PC clone. But upon closer inspection, you'll realize that it has a unique keyboard that does double duty as a two-handed trackpad. While the computer has a native 800 x 480 display, you can use the trackpad to drag and drop the screen around and view a wider screen area. Honestly, this kind of thing just makes me dizzy.
Processor: 1GHz VIA Eden C7
RAM: 512MB
Storage: 30GB
Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
Operating System: Ubuntu
Expansion: SD card reader
Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth
Webcam: 300k pixels
Weight: .8 kilograms / 1.8 pounds
Price: TBD

Nohrtec Gecko

This notebook is the fist I've seen which appears to run Linpus Linux Lite out of the box. Linpus is a light weight Linux distribution designed for computers with small screens. To be perfectly honest, it looks a lot like the easy mode interface Asus designed for the Eee PC.
Processor: 1GHz VIA CPU
RAM: 256MB
Storage: 4GB flash memory or 40GB hard drive
Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
Operating System: Linpus Linux Lite
Expansion: 3-in-1 card reader
Connectivity:Ethernet, WiFi
Price: Reportedly around $300

Proview Handbook PC-81001

This low cost PC from Brazil is a bit larger than some of the others on the list, with a 10 inch display. But it's still cheaper than most full sized laptops, and easier to fit in your bag.
Processor: AMD LX 800, 500 MHz
RAM: 512MB
Storage: 60GB hard drive
Display: 10.2 inch 1024 x 600 pixel screen
Operating System: Linux or Windows XP
Expansion: VGA output, 2 USB ports, PCMCIA slot
Connectivity:Ethernet, WiFi
Battery: 2600 mAh battery with an estimated 2 hour battery life (if that's what the company claims, I shudder to think what the actual battery life will be)
Weight: 1.2 kilograms / 2.6 pounds
Price: 800 Brazillian Reals, or about $482 US

Sungjut TangoX

This computer seems to be built from the same VIA reference design used in the Everex Cloudbook. But unlike the Cloudbook, the TangoX packs a touchscreen display.
Processor: 1.2GHz VIA C7-M ULV CPU
RAM: 1GB
Storage: 40GB - 80GB hard drive
Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel touchscreen
Operating System: unknown
Expansion: 4-in-1 card reader, DVI output, USB ports
Connectivity: Ethernet, WiFi, removable SkypePhone

The following companies have all announced plans to develop a low-cost ultraportable computer. But few details are available at this time and we have no pretty pictures to share yet. Acer is expected to show off its first entry into the low-cost ultraportable market at the Computex show in June. Here's what we know so far:
Display: 8.9 inches
Price: Less than $300

Dell CEO says the company plans to release an Eee PC competitor. While it's not clear whether the Dell 500 will be that computer, the company has announced plans for a low-cost computer by that name in India, which could fit the bill.
Operating System: Windows XP or Ubuntu
Expansion: 8-in-1 card reader
Connectivity: WiFi
Price: Rs 24,500 or about $600

Gigabyte Computer has also announced plans to develop a low-cost subnotebook. We first heard about the company's intentions back in January, when it was said that Gigabyte would have something ready to ship by June. We haven't heard much since then.
Processor: 1.6GHz single-core processor
Display: 7 to 9 inches