Acer's tiny new Tablet PC, the TravelMate C111 marries the functionality of their previous convertible tablet (Acer TravelMate C100, December 2002, page ^^) with the low-power high-performance functionality of the Intel Centrino. This is one of the smaller Tablet PCs we've seen, and even gives notebooks a run for their money, measuring a mere 25.7 x 21.6 x 2.97 cm and weighing in at a paltry 1.45Kg.

While this makes for easy portability and convenience, it does add its own problems. First, its optical drive is external (not such a problem for some people) but it adds that tiny level of complexity, and second the keyboard's quite small. This one is definitely for those with small fingers or with higher than normal dexterity, but thankfully the TravelMate C111 has its Tablet PC functionality to save you the horrors of mis-keying.

As a Tablet PC, the C111 excels. Microsoft's standard that all Tablet PCs must have Wi-Fi and Intel's standard that all Centrino branded notebooks must have Wi-Fi, were meant to converge in a device like the C111. As well as 802.11b connectivity, you also get the benefits of the Centrino CPU's performance and battery longevity. And Acer has also seen fit to include Bluetooth connectivity.

Internally the C111 also has a 40GB HD, a pleasant 512MB of RAM, Intel's 865GM GPU with 64MB VRAM and plenty of expansion potential with a Type II PCMCIA slot, two USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire port, plus 56K modem and 10/100 Ethernet. The external optical drive connects via FireWire, and is a respectable CD-RW/DVD combo drive.

While it's small, the TravelMate C111 is sturdy with a solid build. We've still got slight issues with the longevity of the convertible hinge, but the rest of the C111 is extremely hardy -- we're in no doubt that this model could take a few knocks and survive. It also comes with a small faux-leather zip cover which not only keeps the unit covered but also hides its squarish form unobtrusively.