In a somewhat surprising partnership, Disney and Asus have come together, with their respective expertise in computers and cartoons, to develop a reasonably-priced and well-designed Disney-themed netbook called the Netpal.

The new portable kids' PC comes with a 1.6GHz Intel N270 processor; an 8.9-inch screen; SD/MMC card readers; a 0.3-megapixel camera; a VGA port, and 3 USB ports. To be available in two models, with either a 16GB SSD or a 160GB HD, the netbook would run actual commercial software, and facilitates Internet accessibility via Wi-Fi.

Equipped with a built-in Windows XP, with a likely locked-down theme, the Netpal will come with a parental control alternative; and desktops that would support customizable pre-installed themes pertaining to Cars, Toy Story, WALL-E, and Hannah Montana. In addition, the Netpal also boasts of Disney-specific software aplenty!

To be available in late July at DisneyStore. com, Amazon. com or Toys R Us, the $350-priced kids-specific netbook will come in two colors - Mickey Mouse's "Magic Blue" or Ariel's flowery "Princess Pink."

To counter the toy-breaking streak in children, the Netpal's design can have the parents, who may think twice about shelling out $350 for the netbook, rest assured - the Netpal will be packed with a spill-proof keyboard and Asus' ShockShield technology will protect it against data loss by impact!