A company out of Bangkok (NorhTec) started last year with a microPC running the following specs...

Fanless Design
VESA mounting support (as depicted at right)
Processor -- SiS 550 166Mhz x 3IUs
Memory -- soldered-on 128 MB SDRAM
Input/output ports
IDE
10/100 Mbps Ethernet
3 x USB V1.1
Optional RS232
Expansion -- CompactFlash slot
2.5-inch hard drive mounting
Ultra-low power
PXE diskless boot

That\'s right folks, Ultra-low power means 2-8 watts (that is less than a flourecent light bulb and 10-20x less than a regular household lightbulb).

Using a stripped down version of Linux, the machine was able to boot up off of Compact Flash and connect to the internet in ONE MINUTE. Measuring in at 4½" square the NorhTec\'s MicroClient Jr. is extremely lightweight, compact, and... fast (relatively speaking).

Now the company has outdone themeselves and have machines that are running up to 1GhZ fanless with 3 USB 2.0, 2 10/100 BaseT ports and more.

They have a full array of products on the market ranging from the MicroClient Jr (listed above) to products that can serve as workstation replacements (Windoze compatible).

I do wonder as I look over their range of mini/micro products why they have not developed laptops (all their products do have VESA to plug in an LCD monitor) that would weigh less than 4 pounds and go for miles and miles on just one battery.

This is definately a company to keep your eye on.

Check out their web site:
http://www.norhtec.com/index.html

If you really think about it people predominately do two things with their computers:

1. check e-mail.
2. surf the \'net.

With Flash/Shockwave/ActiveX (not even available on Linux that I know of)/JAVA turned off you can have a computer that is literally 10 years old do the job and with the technology that is already out there, if a 1GhZ processor was scaled down to 1/3 it\'s capacity, how much heat would it really generate.?

In my case I have two issues with my laptop
1. heat
2. weight

These can EASILY be overcome and this looks like one company that can not only do it but do it at a cost that is exrtremely affordable.