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The Mini-Note costs a little more but is also more powerful than the Eee PC , with the £300 entry level model boasting an 8.9in WXGA display, 1GHz Via processor, Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10, 512MB RAM and a 4GB solid-state drive.

Alongside wireless and a webcam, it also features HP's DriveGuard technology, which senses any sudden movement in the laptop, say a fall, and automatically locks the hard disk to prevent any damage.

Those interested in paying for the top end model, will receive a 120GB 7,200rpm hard drive, 2GB RAM and Bluetooth. You'll also have the option of Windows Vista, which is a surprise given that Microsoft recently extended the life of XP just for this type of low cost laptop - it was assumed Vista would be too resource hungry.

There are also two battery alternatives: The standard 3-cell, maxing out at two hours fifteen minutes of life, but keeping the weight down to 1.27kg, or the 6-cell for up to four hours thirty minutes of battery life.

The Mini-Note will be available from May.