Just got a DELL Latitude X200 ultra-portable notebook computer for a new colleague. I especially like that the X200 weighs only 1.38kg (2.9 pounds), is only 0.8-inches thick, and comes with the "Media Base" docking station — all for only HK$13,800 (~US$1,770). The dock concept is fantastic because it eliminates having to constanly plug in and disconnect cables. Right now with my Apple PowerBook G4, twice a day — at home and office — I have to plug in at least 2 cables (power and USB mouse) and up to 5 (Ethernet cable, USB cable for my Canon PowerShot G1 camera, and FireWire cable for external hard disks). (As an aside: More digital camera manufacturers should use a dock, like Kodak's EasyShare digital cameras. Canon, please!...) Docking and undocking the X200 to the Media Base was a snap too (much simpler and more reliable than the mechanism used on the old DIGITAL HiNote Ultra notebooks I had used in the past).

Other specs:

• 800MHz Pentium III-M processor
• 12" XGA screen (1024x768)
• 384MB memory (added extra 256MB memory module)
• 10/100 Ethernet
• V.90 modem
• 1 FireWire (IEEE 1394) and 2 USB ports
• CD-ROM and floppy drives (or CD-RW or CD-RW/DVD combo drive)
• optional internal 802.11 wireless networking
• Windows 2000 Pro (or Windows XP Home)

I REALLY wish Apple had ultraportable notebooks like this on offer; if they did they'd no doubt sell like hotcakes!