So you're plow'n the back 40 one day, and you're think'n about what them thar computers should really be like. You may just be think'n what them Microsoft boys are think'n - Mira. No, I'm not talk'n about a female named Mira that would look just lovely on Baywatch, but the mobile computer, silly!

Okay, so tell me the scoop Mr. T, well say no more. You take your flat screen monitor, about 8 x 10, and .5 inch thick, or roughly the size of a square flap jack (just like momma used to make) add in Windows CE operating system, wireless networking, and wha la big boy, the laptop of the future.

Now here it gets interesting Ellie May, it connects via wireless networking to your PC at home or work, and runs the applications you have on that PC. It just displays them on the tablet you hold in your hand. Say what Billy Joe! Think of it like this Homer: You hold in your hand a thin computer display. It turns on instantly, and as it does, all the icons on your desktop PC appear ev'n though you're in a county extension office on the other side of Hooterville. Yah just click on any program or file that is on your PC back at the office, and it runs on the display just like you were back at the ranch.

So why would I want something like that Jim Bob? Well, you have all the capabilities of a PDA, and a laptop, but it is much smaller, and it's ready to use as soon as you turn that puppy on. Next, you only have to install the application on your desktop PC to be able to use it on both. With the speed of current wireless network technology, running the application on the Mira would be almost as fast as sitting in front of your desktop on the porch. Now does that make your puppy pull a freight train? Well just about!

Bubba, you know you want one bad, like a glass of ice tea on a hot sunny day, but don't ya know it; it ain't available just yet at your local Circuit City. Well hold on; your friends at Microsoft plan to have these little doodads available by Christmas. Oh, and of course the desktop PC must be running Windows XP by the way.

Part of the market for Mira will be the home user. The idea being that you can be sit'n in the Lazy Boy, and send'n email to all your kin while sipping a Pepsi and watching Brittney on the big screen. Of course you will need that home PC with Windows XP, and a wireless network by the way.