Top Tech News - You see them on tables in coffee shops, under the arms of college students and on the laps of travelers waiting for a flight. Called "netbooks" or "mini-notebooks," these small, lightweight and relatively affordable computers are one of the hottest tech toys of the year.
Popularized by Asus Eee PCs, which start at $269, netbooks are designed for basic tasks -- Web surfing, e-mail and word processing. That's just fine for some folks.
These sleek Wi-Fi-enabled computers are usually limited in capacity, and to keep costs down, often ship with the open-source Linux operating system instead of Microsoft's Windows.
"Especially during this economic downturn, a low-cost option is very attractive," says Doug Bell, an analyst at researcher IDC. "Mini-notebooks are also a great PC option for kids because of the small keyboards."
Still, Bell says, "While the main draw is the price and compact size and weight, it is important to know what you are buying."
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