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In short, they re-invented the Flybook.

I mainly use a Flybook subnotebook at 8.9", with enough batteries for about 15 hours of use (if I carry all batteries with me). An HTC Universal, with more than 15 hours of use (again if I carry both of its batteries) is a helpful alternative in cases I need something smaller. A few times I use other devices as well, but these are the ones most useful for ebooks. Coupled with 3G UMTS or 3.5G HSDPA they ar wonderful, especially the Flybook, which can be used easily even while walking. It isn't the "perfect" machine of course (nothing is perfect), but it works reasonably well and thanks to being a full PC it can run GNU/Linux and read all formats and do everything. In fact it's what I mainly use for all kinds of work while out of my home office (ie every day, I am the nomad kind of person), not only ebooks (it's only in code compile that it sucks, but I do most bug compiles on the server remotely so no big problem).

What about Flybook VM? It is good for aeroplane users and for those who want to move the screen away or closer.

When out of my home office, I do my business mainly on a Flybook which has a 8.9" screen, and it's exactly the right size for me. Really. My only wish is that it had a higher resolution, like 1280x720, because its 1024x600 is too low for some kinds of work. For me, anything larger than 12" is too heavy and too big to be used in-car or while walking etc. Flybook is nice in the sense that it is designed to be used while standing, as it has its pointing device exactly at the correct place to allow you to use it while walking or standing in a queue, and it has built-in GPRS, UMTS or HSDPA Internet. And Debian (with some hacking) runs ok on it.

Here in Greece (EU) 100% tax rate is quite common... I wanted batteries for my Flybook subnotebooks and the local representative company here refused to order batteries for me saying the factory has some problem (don't know if it was true, but I am suspicious). I e-mailed the manufacturer in Taiwan, Dialogue Technology, first to notify them of the local representative's claims, and then to ask to import batteries. When my batteries came from Taiwan (Dialogue was very quick and professional in handling the issue for me), they were kept at the local customs here and upfront payment was required (within 3 days!). How much I paid to the customs? About the same as the cost of the batteries plus shipping! The cost was nearly doubled because of the taxes. I have also paid the same taxes (nearly 100%) for academic books I have imported from USA as well as for scientific-documentary DVDs that aren't available in EU. The funny thing is that the government would make much more money if lowered the import taxes, since a more sensible 20-25% import tax would allow people to import more products and more often.

If ever the US or EU propose a Euro-American customs union, I'll be the first to support it as loudly as I can. With China and other Asian countries becoming more powerful and the US sliding into debt, I don't think a future EU-US-Canada union is inconceivable (although by the time it happens China will be developing much more interesting products, and Taiwan already does!).

Mobile Intel Celeron M is what's in the current low end energy conservative pc laptops.

except that even pc laptops seem to usually ship now with 512mb and 40gb+.

but in pc laptops there's so much more _choice_, if you want a luggable desktop then you can buy that. if you just want a small lappy you can get that. if you want something in the middle you can get that too. you want a 64bit desktop laptop? hell, you can have that too today.

though, what I'd like would be one of these . i'm sure when apple does this the fans will tout apple for innovativity though..

The FlyBook looks really cool... but the link from their site to buy says it's $2873.75

This is not cheaper... considerably more expensive in fact.

or a flybook ( iirc this is the website better features imho and cheaper)