After splitting with the One Laptop Per Child project, Intel has been hard at work on their own affordable, rugged, basic laptop. They call it the “Netbook,” as its primary goal is to get basic computing tools and internet access into the hands of kids around the world (awwww). The second version has been detailed now, and I’m sure there are many more in the future.
The specs don’t sound too shabby: 512MB of RAM, 30GB hard drive (not solid state), 9-inch screen. It has a Celeron processor and they’re planning for Atom-equipped ones as well. Personally, I’d wait for the Atom-and-solid-state version as your battery life will probably double. Or you could just pick up an EeePC.