What a time for alternatives to Windows. I hear from people all the time who are concerned about the cost, hassle and quality of the upgrade to Windows Vista. Many have used versions of Windows for years but are wondering whether a new computer is necessary and whether it should use Windows.

That's a sweet spot for Apple, and it's good news for some of the snappy Windows alternatives that have moved into contention.

Who ever heard of Zonbu? The company, (www.zonbu.com) based in Menlo Park, Calif., is producing a tiny PC so interesting that I foresee success. And at $99 -- along with a monthly fee for support and upgrades -- its pricing is also compelling.

We've had "Internet appliances" in the past, none of which took the market by storm. But we're living in different times now. In particular, we're in the era of "cloud computing," in which applications and data live on the Net. And that's exactly the trend Zonbu intends to ride.

Here's the concept: The Zonbu machine runs a modified version of Linux and comes with all the basic applications, including an office suite and access to many of the best open source programs.

But when you create a document, your local storage option is limited to 4 gigabytes of flash memory. Zonbu isn't set up for lots of local storage. The assumption is that you will use the storage that your subscription plan is paying for, which is handled through Amazon's S3 online storage service. Most of your documents live on the Web.

The fee you pay depends on the amount of storage you want, ranging from $13 a month for 25 gigabytes to $20 a month for 100 gigabytes.

Only the most recent files stay local, with the rest available through the Zonbu or any other Net-connected computer. Or if you prefer to back up your data on-site, plug an external drive or flash memory device into one of the system's six USB ports. The interface is straightforward, the software free, and anti-virus concerns are minimal, because most viruses are written for Windows.

This is a small machine, 6.75 inches wide, and you'll have to supply your own mouse, keyboard and monitor. You'll also have to ask yourself whether "cloud computing" is for you. Some people dislike the thought of having their data on other people's servers.

But I've found that for nonsensitive materials such as these columns, storing my writing online is a great help. Take a trip, get access to a local machine, and there are all your files, ready for new work.

So attractive is this proposition on many levels that the only stumbling block I can see is the very thing that leads people away from Windows in the first place: the operating system.

Despite its frustrations, Windows holds many users in thrall because of programs they can't find anywhere else, software they find useful and are unwilling to replace. That's going to be a challenge for any Windows-switcher. However, those who take the plunge may find that getting used to Linux's latest graphical environment isn't an onerous task.

The other shoe waiting to drop is the issue of speed. You need broadband to run a Zonbu, for data transfer rates on a dial-up connection are unacceptably slow.

Overall broadband speeds are gradually increasing, and you'll need a seriously fast connection to get the look and feel of local storage when you're pulling your data off remote servers. Amazon, of course, is relying on our getting used to computing in the "cloud," as is Google, and the advantages of doing so may soon become obvious, even at present network speeds.

I've been running versions of Linux for years as my primary operating system, so it's nice to see Zonbu's attempt to simplify and rationalize what we do with computers.

Those whose primary interest is Web surfing and occasional document creation will find it more than up to the task. However, if your needs run to heavy graphics, lots of photos and video, you're going to need a heftier machine.

My wager is that Zonbu will find a healthy market of consumers looking for hassle-free computing at a low price.

Everex is also thinking along alternative lines, judging from the release of its $198 desktop machine based on Linux.

Wal-Mart, which has tried in the past to sell low-cost Linux PCs without success, will offer the TC2502 Green gPC on a test basis at selected stores. The company seems committed to this path, also announcing that it would produce Linux-based laptops below $300, to be made available some time next year.

The push toward cheaper machines with a leaner operating system is gaining momentum.

With Windows as only one of several operating system choices, where is the market heading? Microsoft will doubtless hold on to the lion's share of desktop PCs, but as the attractions of other options become clear, I can see future computers designed from scratch to run multiple operating systems.

You can do that right now -- I'm running a PC with Ubuntu Linux and XP in dual boot mode as I write -- but software tools such as Parallels, which allow easy switching between Mac, Linux and Windows, may one day become standard issue in all PCs.

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