Flybook v23i shows that small can be beautiful

While most of the recent portable computing buzz has been sucked up by the UMPC, the Flybook folks haven't been sitting on their hands (or their computers, fortunately). Their latest models, the v23i and the previously announced v33i, show that the company is still capable of making very small laptops that are still usable -- and can look oh-so-hot as well. Both models weigh in at about 2.6 pounds, and have 8.9-inch touchscreens, full keyboards, 512MB RAM, 40GB drives, and the usual connectivity options, including Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth and USB ports. About the only thing not to like about these is the price; these start at around $2,500, about the price of 2 1/2 UMPCs, and even more than the OQO (which we also happen to like, despite its high price). Like the OQO, the Flybook will remain a luxury item for those with heavy wallets who want lightweight computers -- but that doesn't mean we don't want one, too.