Check out these little gems. Diskless notebooks preloaded with Linux and capable of running XP. Priced between $300 and $400 depending on built-in memory. All the usual I/O and expansion options plus webcam, less PCMCIA. A couple of guys I know got them for field work,and they work GREAT.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834220246

I have seen those - they're pretty slick.

I've been considering getting one for a while now, as portability is key, but the 4G model only grants you 1.5GB of usable storage space; the 8G model is $499CAD, which would - logically - give you 5.5GB of usable storage space.

However, I recently checked out Dell's Vostro line, and the base price for them is $499CAD as well, and it's a full-fledged laptop. Personally, I'd rather pay for the Dell, as it's fully upgradable. On comparison, I just can't justify paying $500 for amazing portability when I could pay $500 for regular portability and upgradability.

My dad and I are both considering getting one. As for the storage space, I have plenty of spare usb disks ranging from 512MB-2GB and an external 160GB HDD. Most of my personal documents, photos, etc. are already on usb disks. And I could swap the HDD for an optical drive if necessary.