They have been around for years, but ultralight Notebooks have suddenly taken the Indian market by storm. Popularly called Netbooks, these machines don't weigh you down, and in flight, you don't miss the optical devices. Students like them because they are cheaper than the regular laptops and sleeker. Newbies to computing appreciate the pared-down functionality, while on-the-move executives approve of the light weight.

For Students

DELL INSPIRON MINI 12

At 1.1-inch thick, it's thinner than most college textbooks. The 80 GB hard drive offers plenty of storage, while the 1.3 MP Webcam and 12-inch screen add to the visual delight. For the operating system, choose from Windows XP and Linux.

ACER ASPIRE ONE D250

This one's an all-time favourite and the six-cell battery, which lasts about seven hours, means you don't have to worry about recharging in between classes. Selected models also have 3G connectivity.

For Beginners

LENOVO IDEAPAD S10

At the price of a mobile phone, it's a perfect buy for beginners. It has the Intel Atom processor N280, a 10.1-inch screen, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB hard drive, Bluetooth and is bundled with Windows XP Home Edition.

ASUS EEE PC 1008HA SEASHELL

The Eee range has gone from good to enviable and is user-friendly, even for tech tyros. The Seashell has ample storage at 160 GB and also provides 10 GB online storage, which has free software. Its 1-inch thick frame packs a 10.1-inch screen, 1.3 MP Webcam, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

For Professionals

SONY VAIO VGN-P13

If you're zipping for a meeting, it's easy to slip a Netbook into a spacious pocket instead of lugging a laptop. The Vaio has a 2 GB RAM, which can run Windows Vista without any speed bumps, Intel Atom processor Z520, an 8-inch screen and is feather-light at 620 g.

HP 2133 MINI-NOTEBOOK

This one's strictly for work as it comes bundled with Windows Vista Business supported by a 2 GB RAM. It is ultraportable and has an 8.9-inch screen, but your fingers won't cramp while typing as it has a 92% full-size Qwerty keyboard. It's available in four variants.