Another $400, 2-lb. Linux-based mini-laptop will be arriving in Wal-Mart stores in the U.S. by the end of this month to rival the Eee, AsusTek Computer Inc.'s ultraportable.

The key differences for the upcoming CloudBook from Taiwanese PC maker Everex are that it sports a faster processor, a Ubuntu-based version of Linux and a conventional hard disk drive that's large enough for users to install Windows XP and Microsoft Office on it if they want, according to information released by Everex on Wednesday.

Otherwise, many of CloudBook's features are similar to those in the Eee, of which more than 350,000 have been sold since fall. Like the current Eee, the CloudBook is about 9 in. long and sports a 7-in. widescreen LCD screen with 800 by 480 pixels. Its keyboard is similar in size to the Eee's.

And like the Eee, it comes with 512MB of RAM, built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, a 1.3-megapixel webcam, preinstalled software including OpenOffice 2.3 and Firefox, and Web links to Google Documents, Wikipedia and YouTube.

The CloudBook will be available Jan. 25 at Wal-Mart stores and WalMart.com, as well as online retailers such as Newegg.com and Tiger Direct, Liu said.

Full story: PC World