When using your computer you’re obviously sitting down at a place dedicated to it. You most likely have a computer desk (or one that acts as such) and that’s where you do all your computer stuff.

Periodically there will be times when you’ll want to access internet stuff elsewhere in the house or maybe even outside. Maybe you’re working in the basement and want to do a quick email check without having to go back upstairs. Maybe someone else in the family is using the computer and you’re stuck without until they’re finished. There could be any number of reasons to want some type of computer access off the desk.

Buying a laptop for minor computer duties like this would most likely be a waste of cash and possibly too large. You need something small and easy to use. And cheap.

This is where a Sony Mylo or an Apple iPod Touch becomes an attractive option.

Both the Mylo and the Touch have wi-fi with web browser, are small and slide easy into the pocket.

Neither of them are blazing fast by any means, but it’s a cheap way of using your local wi-fi off the desk and without breaking the bank.

The Touch is obviously the more expensive of the two (it is Apple, after all) and has some snazzier features, but the Mylo is cheaper has an actual keyboard (called a "thumb pad" on it.

Here’s the Mylo in action:

Here’s the iPhone/iPod Touch being used as a TiVo remote control (yes, for real):

To note, there are other handheld wi-fi devices besides the Touch and Mylo. But the point is if you were looking for a cheap way to browse on wi-fi internet in your house off the desk, this is the way to do it.

What would you recommend?

What other handheld wi-fi devices would you check out and why?