By Olga Kharif

Small but Mighty Laptops

Move over notebooks. Netbooks have arrived. These compact, low-priced laptops pack a lot of computing power into a small container. They include word processing, e-mailing, and access to the Web via Wi-Fi connections. Most also double as still cameras and Webcams. And because they use less powerful chips, these devices often boast battery life of five to seven hours.

Netbooks do have their limitations, of course. Their screens are small—typically, less than 10 inches—and they contain limited memory. Most can't play high-definition videos or use the Apple (AAPL) iTunes store. Still, consumers who want computing muscle on a shoestring budget may be willing to sacrifice.

Here's a sampling of some of the models available this holiday season.

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