The netbook trend has really taken off in the world of electronics retailing. Netbooks are ultra-cheap lightweight mini-laptops. Their genesis goes back to an MIT initiative to provide cheap computers for Third World children.

The for-profit computer manufacturers responded quickly when they caught wind of MIT's non-profit plan. One of the first companies to make money with netbooks was Asus with their Triple E PC. Today, the Triple E retails for around $279 and has sold some 6 million units.

Other manufacturers like Hewlett-Packard, Dell and Acer all have their own netbooks. The typical screen size is about 9 or 10 inches and they generally operate on Windows XP or Linux. For around $350, a business traveler can take a 2-pound netbook as a substitute for a regular laptop.

During the coming holiday season, you should see netbook prices in the $250-$500 range. So if you're a road warrior, you don't need to spend a grand for a heavy old laptop anymore!