Taipei, Taiwan is home to Computex, the second largest computer show in the world, and the South China Sea island is responsible for the biggest chunk of laptop manufacture in the world. At the show, the theme, as far as manufacturers are concerned, seemed to be "smaller and cheaper."

Laptop makers are in search of the next big thing that will take the mass of consumers by storm. Most of them are in the same page as far as the core model is concerned. Designs presented in the show were sleeker and more low-cost, with the smallest units measuring only seven inches across and weighing in at about two pounds each. The most low-cost units were available for only about US$ 200.

The idea, manufacturers say, is to come up with something that has sufficient features, is lighter and smaller than a laptop, but is more reliable and versatile than a smartphone. The sleekest models exhibited in the show seemed to be closing in as most of them were small enough to fit in a lady's bag but could still house a full keyboard.

Alvin Kwock, an analyst for JP Morgan comments "computer companies are really boosting their industrial design capabilities to gain more business."