The Asus Eee 2-gig seven-inch micro laptop is a fascinating tool for a frequent traveler. If you’re a travel writer on the go, this unique laptop might just be the tool for you. This laptop has no hard drive or CD drives. You can add an external CD/DVD drive.

The Asus uses solid-state technology instead of a traditional hard drive and stores programs on a two-gig flash drive. It turns on instantly when you press the button, and you can expand storage space with a 4-gig SD card. This model comes with the Linux operating system pre-installed but you can install WinXP if you aren’t Linux proficient.

So why would you want this laptop? For starters, the lack of a hard drive with moving parts makes this much more durable and rugged than traditional laptops. The size is great for your travel needs, especially if you are packed for a long journey. In spite of its tiny size, it features a full keyboard. Built-in Wi-Fi lets you surf from any wireless hotspot.  Then there’s the price…simply amazing for the writer on a budget. Yes, this isn’t as powerful as a MacBook Pro and it’s not recommended if you need to edit video or other high-end apps. But if you are a writer and need a light, tough tool to take anywhere in the world? This is a damn fine travel companion.

Buy the Asus Micro PC for $299.