Just as we were beginning to think the term netbook was here to stay, following the Microsoft - Psion agreement, Redmond spinners have chosen to do what they do best, complicate matters even further.

Microsoft is now kindly asking the world plus dog to call these toys Low Cost Small Notebook PCs, or LCSNPCs. Somehow we don't see this idea catching on.

You might wonder why Microsoft is pushing for the new term, and so do we. The company claims that some mini-notebooks feature more capabilities than just Internet browsing, so the term netbook should be dropped in lieu of Low Cost Small Notebook PCs.

Frankly, we're really not sure what these capabilities are. Thanks to Microsoft and Intel, all netbooks, or Low Cost Small Notebook PCs,  are virtually the same, and they have been since they first appeared. Well, actually, the first netbook, I mean LCSNPC, was based on a Celeron CPU, which was, in fact, even faster than most Atoms used today.

However, Microsoft is apparently planning to use the new classification for a more down to earth reason. Market watchers believe that once Windows 7 appears, the software giant will basically require vendors to use higher-end SKUs of Windows 7 on pricier LCSNPCs, formerly known as netbooks.

Depending on who you ask, major vendors currently pay anywhere from $15 to $32 for XP licenses for their Low Cost Small Notebook PCs. It's obvious Microsoft is interested in cashing in a bit more on this lucrative market segment once Windows 7 comes along. Not that we mind, it's their OS, they can do as they please, besides there's plenty of Linux and Android around for everyone.

Obviously, we will never use the term Low Cost Small Notebook PC or LCSNPC.

More here.