It's a bit late for Christmas, but a new netbook (small laptop computer) is available now for $99. I suspect this will become a VERY popular item!
In fact, at this price, don't expect a powerful computer. This one really is a "bottom of the line" system. It won't even run Windows XP.
The Cherrypal Africa has a 400 MHz processor, 256 megabytes of RAM memory, a 2 gigabyte flash memory "hard drive" (very fast and no moving parts), a 7-inch screen with 800 by 480 pixels, USB 1.1 and 2.0 ports, SecureDigital card support, and it runs either Linux or Windows CE operating systems. A web browser, word processor program, spreadsheet program, and more are included at no extra charge. It should get about 4 hours of use on the lithium battery. It is small enough to slip into an overcoat pocket.
This tiny system might run the Pocket Genealogist on Windows CE. I suspect it will access all of the online genealogy programs, such as The Next Generation, PhpGedView, New FamilySearch, Family Tree Explorer, etc. However, I won't know for sure until I get my hands on one of these tiny systems and try it for myself. I doubt if any other genealogy programs will work on it.
Of course, the Cherrypal Africa is made in Taiwan or some other Oriental country. Then again, so are most of the expensive laptops of today. Even the laptops with "American brands" (Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Gateway, Compaq, etc.) are all manufactured in the Orient.
This is a very basic system for the price, but is much cheaper than a “real” computer and is much, much better than nothing at all. For $99, I can see a lot of people picking up one of these tiny systems to check email, surf the web, write an occasional document or two, work on spreadsheets, work on your genealogy using one of the online sites, and more. While you are at it, pick up two or three for the kids.
At this price, the computer is essentially disposable. If you ever drop it and break it, simply throw it away. The repair costs will be higher than the purchase price of a new replacement.
You can see a bit more information, although not much more, at http://www.cherrypal.com/products.php and at http://www.cherrypal.com/news.php.
