Netbooks and Splashtops

So I keep referring to these small, flash-based, laptop-like computing devices, and I did not have a good name for that segment of the laptop industry. The Asus eeepc is an example of one of these. I counted 3 of them at the airport on Sunday night, so I’m pretty sure that this is the next big thing. I’m thinking about buying one for my Mom, since she is computer-phobic.

Well, the folks at Intel have come up with a name for these devices. Apparently, a device of this type is called a Netbook.

Another kick-ass technology on the horizon is the Splashtop. I’m not a 100% sure on how the technology works, but it looks like it is a full System-on-chip running Linux. The benefits of this are obvious – instant-on and low-power consumption.

Both technologies are being adopted by Asustek. I’m beginning to wonder if it is time to invest in that company.