Laptops make lousy luggage. They're heavy, come with a tangle of wires and plugs, and can't pass through airline security without a hassle. By contrast, the Model 2 computer from OQO fits into the palm of your hand, and repacking is as easy as slipping it into your pocket.

The Model 2, which sells for $1299, weighs only one pound is about the length of a pencil. It has built-in wi-fi, runs Windows Vista, and features an illuminated, ergonomic keyboard. OQO is an American company based in San Francisco, but the innovative design and impressive utility of the Model 2 won over the Japanese, who awarded it their prestigious Good Design Prize in November. Considering that the average cell phone in Tokyo makes an American mobile look as advanced as a tin can on a string, it's quite the compliment. --BEN POPPER

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MVSTAT: The earliest laptop, Osborne 1, released in 1981, weighed 23.5 pounds and cost $1795. It had no internal battery and was powered by a wall plug...