While the rest of us were lusting after bigger and more powerful (and unfortunately, noisier) PCs, right under our noses is the less resource-hungry and open source Linux operating system, able to run on the tiniest, quietest and most efficient PCs in the world. Case in point: Linutop, a $444 Linux-based computer that doesn't even have a hard disk inside. Its software runs from an included USB key loaded with xubuntu, which is one of the most user-friendly flavors of Linux, easy enough for my grandmother to use.

Unlike some larger Linux home theater PCs we've shown you, this PC contains all your applications on that USB key along with the xubuntu operating system, running on a fanless and completely silent PC packing an efficient AMD Geode LX700 processor. The setup is well-suited for Web browsing, instant messaging, writing, and maybe a bit of multimedia viewing as long as you don't want your resolution any higher than garden-variety VGA (640x480). It's a palm-sized PC just powerful enough for most computing tasks. — Charlie White

Linutop, via Slashgear