Following the launch of Asus's ultra-portable Eee PCs designed for children and emerging markets, Taiwanese MiTAC recently announced that it has forged a strategic alliance with Iceland-based MIND to develop PCs catering for the education and entertainment of young children. The target of this new PC line, however, is directed at a high-end customer base of parents with children aged three to twelve.

This new PC is scheduled to hit the market in the first quarter of 2008, initially in selected Asian markets, according to MiTAC's press release.

With a price tag of about HK$3,000 (US$385.6; US$1 = HK$7.8), this Linux-embedded PC incorporates AMD microprocessor, 7-inch touch panel, Wi-Fi and 3G functionality, and web camera. Also included in the package are children-centric features such as PC keyboard for children, handwriting recognition software, and website filtering tool.