I would quite like to own something that I'm not even sure exists

[bran]

I would like to have a small device for surfing the net. I have a laptop but because it was bought for me to be able to work at home it has a large screen and loads of oomph so it's a bit too large and valuable to take on holiday.

I don't really need another computer, just something that really small and light (and cheap) so that I can connect to wifi in coffee shops or hotels and lurk on MN pick up my email. I can do without a cd-drive, a big (or indeed any) hard drive, lots of processing power and fancy software as I won't want to store anything or do any work on it. It does need to have a screen and some sort of keyboard, and to be quite robust.

Any ideas oh great geeky ones?

like a PDA/blackberry or were you thinking bigger?

A blackberry probably has a bit more functionality than I need, as well as a contract charge. I'm not entirely sure how they work, don't they connect to the internet by the built-in phone rather than being able to log onto free wifi? If I was paying mobile charges to log on it would probably work out pretty expensive when abroad.

A PDA might be the thing, although again I'm a bit hazy on how it would actually work. A slightly bigger keyboard than a PDA would be good, but on the other hand I could probably have other useful things on a PDA like the ability to download sat-nav maps.

Asos/Asus do a baby computer called an Eeee (or something like that)

It's about as big as a hardbacked book & very cute

So, like this?

Me too - though it doesn't have Windows, but that may not be such a bad thing.

Have you actually seen one LL?

It is So cute & it comes in colours (apparently)

iPod Touch would do the job

eeePC from Asus. Wifi built in. Works pretty good, but I have to admit, the keyboard is a bit small for me, but its fine for the out and about experience.

More info here (I know it's from Newsbeat, but that means even I can understand it!). Apparently it can do XP, but I don't think it comes with it.

JackieNo - I want one of those little green ones

If you are just surfin, the eeePC comes with a linux variety. But its almost instant boot, and very user friendly. You won't have any problems using it. You won't notice a difference (okay you might .... but its really simple)

Me too Katymac.

have an asos - its pretty good for surfing (bit slow on the mumsnet posts). if its just surfing you're after the itouch is very good.

littlelapin and KatyMac what are you doing tempting me when I can afford it least.

Me????

Would I do that??

I think I need a second job

We have two Asus eees at school - we got the first for a child whose statement says he has to have a word processor - then the head saw it & wanted one to use at home. The ones we have use Linux - there is a Windows version coming out, but it won't have the big advantage the linux one does that it literally starts in about 8 seconds.
It has a wireless connection and an ethernet port, no CD drive, but it does have USB ports - to put more software on, you have to either download it from the internet, copy it to USB drive or get an external CD/DVD drive.
The screen is very small - I believe the newer version will have more of the lid as screen - the current one has a very wide border iyswim. Dialogue boxes are pretty small & you have to do a lot of scrolling

The keys are small too - fine if you have small hands, but DH was having trouble.

Ideal for mumsnetting in bed, hmmm on second thoughts I get too little sleep as it is.

Oooh, the Eee is very tempting. It's slightly more than I was hoping to pay which means it would have to come with me in hand luggage rather than being slung into the hold, but still very sweet. According to JackieNo's Newsbeat link Dell and HP are expected to launch their own versions sometime this year, so I might wait and see what comes along.

I have tiny hands so a small keyboard shouldn't be an issue.

I quite like njm's PDA suggestion too, it would be smaller and lighter.

Thank you everyone.