Several U.K. Web sites are reporting that Toshiba has announced the NB100, an apparently somewhat generic netbook that is retailing in the U.K. for about £260 ($469). Although Shiny Shiny lists just one price, there is the option of either Ubuntu or Windows XP Home, which has typically commanded different price points. Incidentally, this system wasn't showing up on the Toshiba UK Web site as I post this.

Features: 1.6-GHz Intel Atom, up to 1 Gbyte RAM, a 120-Gbyte rotating hard drive (not surprising, given that Toshiba's one of the premier 2.5-inch hard drive makers), plus Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and three USB ports that can charge devices while the laptop itself is in sleep mode. The 1,024 x 600 display measures 8.9 inches diagonally. Battery life is a stated three hours and 47 minutes, according to Shiny Shiny.

No official word yet on when such a device would hit the U.S., although the word on the street is sometime this fall.