When Microsoft first introduced the ultraportable concept I thought it was a perfect small device for controlling my hard-disk-based CD collection via a USB port.

But then the first models came out and the were all-singing, all-dancing (and slow!) monsters that were way over the prices indicated by Microsoft.

So because of price I just gave up the idea and continued to use my portable (with the subsequent risks that I was continually checking my e-mail and newsgroup postings whenever I set up the portable to control my music).

Now, maybe, there is an ultraportable coming that could just solve my problem by being much closer to the original concept (and more important to the original price).

Here's

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,131620-pg,1/article.html

news of the new version of the Samsung Q1 Ultra

and one of those models is available for less than $800.

Mind you one has to wonder about putting Vista on a device with a fairly slow processor and no doubt not too much memory. Certainly although I like Vista, all I need for my designed use is XPPro and if they'd had that instead of Vista they could have included the Tablet Edition in the price.