The Disney NetPal from Asus ($350, coming in early August) is a beefed-up Eee PC Netbook with thicker hinges, a spill-proof keyboard and onboard parental controls, and no shortage of Disney-themed frosting.
Once you get past the mouse-ear-shaped webcam, this is really just a typical Intel Atom-powered Windows XP netbook. There are three USB ports and an SD slot, a VGA graphics port for school reports and a headphone jack. The Wi-Fi/webcam combination could make Skyping with a grandparent an option.
The case comes in pink (a.k.a. Princess Pink) or blue, and there are two hard-drive options, either the 160GB model or a more shock-resistant 16GB solid-state drive model. The latter will be sold by Toys “R” Us.
The Netpal has extra online security features, so you can decide what your child sees through the customizable Disney desktop. If you want to limit your child’s time with Webkinz or Free Realms to after school, and make it inaccessible at bedtime, that’s your call. Warren Buckleitner
