Acer Aspire One laptop

Yes, that's right: £220 for a laptop. And, even more surprisingly, it's not half-bad. The main Linux interface is hidden behind a cunning menu offering options such as web browsing, email and office programs. The software may not be familiar, but unless you're showing off, it's perfectly good, and runs along nippily too. Build quality is sturdy, with a great keyboard and a crisp, bright screen. Along with the built-in Wi-Fi (3G and WiMAX will follow later), it all makes for a very impressive travelling companion. You'll even find a webcam and card reader on board. The downside? Terrible battery life. At less than two hours, you'll need a spare. If you can live with that, it's a very tempting option.