Let’s look at a fairly full-featured machine from Everex, the StepNote SA2053T Notebook.

This system has a 12.1″ 1280×800 screen, which is highly usable when compared to the seven or eight inch displays offered by other ultra-portable systems. The weight’s a bit heavier at just under four pounds, but you get more functionality for your money in some ways. For example, you get both wireless (802.11 b/g) as well as Ethernet connectivity. There’s a built-in DVD+/RW drive and microphone, and 100Gb worth of storage.

On the down side, this StepNote includes only a gigabyte of RAM. That meets the minimal requirements for running Vista Home, the operating system that’s included; but if you’re accustomed to fairly snappy computing operations, you may find it inadequate to the task. Worse, you can’t upgrade the memory without negating the one-year factory warranty.

Reviewers reference a short battery life, which is somewhat mitigated by the extra battery that comes with the unit.

If playing movies on the train ride home is important to you, this is a unit to consider because of its compact size and built-in DVD player. It’ll be easy to hoof around with and it’ll fit nicely into most carrying cases and knapsacks. Just make sure you remember that extra battery. And don’t plan any getting any serious AutoCAD work done between the good segments.

Next: Acer aspires to greatness