Technically, the product I'm going to discuss was released last year but it wasn't till this year that its impact was widely felt. The Asus Eee PC has redefined mobile computing in a way I didn't think possible.

Over the last five years or so Microsoft has developed two new mobile computing platforms - the UMPC and the Tablet. Both aimed to fill niches in the mobile computing world that hadn't been filled. Both have their evangelists and fanboys but neither have really gone beyond niche products. For example, when was the last time you walked into your local electrical retailer and had a salesperson recommend a tablet or UMPC.

Then the Eee PC came along. With all of its limitations (small screen, limited storage, tight keyboard) it's sold way beyond expectations. In Australia it wasn't even going to have a mainstream release - it was going to be targeted directly to schools.

Somehow, an upstart has managed to create an entire new market category and sell more units than it could produce without including a single piece of Microsoft software. I hope Monkey Boy and his team in Redmond are paying attention. Sure, the Eee PC is now offered with Windows but most people are still buying it with Xandros. Why? Microsoft's customers aren't loyal because of passion for the platform - they're been loyal because there really hasn't been anyone to be disloyal with!

Now, as an Apple fan, you might expect me to be smirking at Microsoft's miss. I think Apple has stuffed up here as well. Clearly, there's a market for a low-power mobile computing device with a keyboard. The iPod touch and iPhone are great devices but even that wonderful user interface can't escape the fact that it's running on a 4 inch display. The next step up - a 13 inch MacBook or MacBook Air. Both are lovely computers but the chasm in Apple's line-up is huge.

Clearly, Asus' success has been the trigger for yesterday's announcement from HP of their new, education-market focussed 2133 Mini-Note PC. Although more expensive than the Eee PC, it delivers a 30GB hard disk, larger screen and more processing grunt. So the niche Asus carved out is now seeing some attention. Asus, predictably, have decided to hurry up the release of the next iteration of the Eee PC that will add a much-requested larger display and more storage.

It's not often that a new product category is created in the IT game. Microsoft has tried twice in recent years and never really made it to the mainstream. Apple, has hung back and waited - but that's typically been their ploy (the iPod wasn't the first MP3 player but it was the first to be really user-friendly and well designed). Perhaps they'll come to the market with a complete surprise. But that such a market exists is truly the work of Asus.

Kudos to Asus!

 Assus Eee PC • HP 2133 Mini-Note PC • Tablet • UMPC