Simplicity and mobility has become the answer to the typical city lifestyle and electronic companies are jumping on the trend. Since the MacBook Air debuted a little over a year ago, it sparked a trend in laptop design and engineering: now PC users have the option to stay connected through ultra-compact laptop computers – which are now called “netbooks.” These are designed specifically for web surfing, connecting with others and viewing information.

Just think of it as the new generation of laptops – only miniature, sleeker, more vibrant and faster, not to mention they’re hooked up with longer battery power.

The first netbook we found was the Sony VAIO ‘P.’ This stylish piece of machinery weighs just below a pound a half. It has a 60-gigabyte hard drive and an eight-inch LCD screen. The Sony Vaio ‘P’ runs smoothly, but cannot run programs like the notebook so users are extremely limited to browsing the web. It is equipped with BluRay Disc technology and built-in GPS technology, which is a feature that doesn’t require an internet connection.

The second netbook that caught our eye was the Acer Aspire One 8.9-inch netbook. This version of a netbook comes in many colors like onyx black, rose pink, sapphire blue and seashell white. It weighs 2.2 lbs. and holds 1 gig of memory. This runs for at least $279.99.

The third and final netbook that made our day was the HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam edition series – the latest in HP netbooks. Girls drool over this - it’s obviously a hit with its bold red color and the peony design. HP refers to it as a digital clutch, incorporating all your communication and social networking capabilities into a fashion statement. This netbook runs on Windows XP Home Edition, one gig of memory and a 3G broadband connection. This tiny fashionista runs for about $699.99.

Other than size, netbooks are very different from your typical laptop. It’s all behind the theory that “less is more.” Netbooks are mainly geared for mobility instead of capability. Research, communication and social networking are among the most popular uses for these computers and they’re not meant for writing a 20-page proposal. They’re built to be convenient and affordable. Although they have many features such as built-in webcams and 3G connections, they may not have the qualities that you are looking for in a computer such as a big hard drive or an optical drive.

But overall, these would make great companions for jetsetters, bloggers and anyone who constantly needs to keep in touch with colleagues and friends.