I have really mixed feelings about netbooks. Their real utility has always seemed rather limited to me, and I would think the tiny keyboard would drive good touch-typers nuts. On the other hand, I can’t deny their “cool gadget” appeal.
Yup. However, they are good for surfing the "net". Hence the name. Mine does doubleduty as a GPS using Delorme terrain mapping software.
Lightweight, concealable, SSD drive and either wireless or wired, they're great, but I wouldn't want mine to take the place of my desktop.
It's probably more robust than most of its kin: It has 2 GB RAM memory, a 160 GB HD, bigger screen, etc. Still, it cost me less than $500.
First thing I did was install Windows 7, the beta, in place of the pre-installed Vista. Much faster, leaner operating system for any computer.
It runs my serious hard-core photo editing software like Lightroom 2.0, CS3, raster printing utilities and all that stuff fine. It is bigger than a paperback, but smaller than a magazine. I absolutely love it. The battery lasts for hours and hours.
The one thing I need with any laptop/netbook though is a real mouse.
No sketchy little pointer pads will do the trick when trying to edit photos.
I use this thing in a remote wilderness environment where we connect to satellite internet via a generator. It is small enough that I can stick it into my pants, under the belt, at the small of my back and it disappears.
Then I sit down on a rock, connect to our WiFi and talk to my kids on Googletalk or Skype a thousand miles away. It has a built-in webcam so I can show them my bug bites.
Technology is great.
I have an Acer that is slightly larger (11.6") than most netbooks. Its keyboard is standard size and is actually one of the best I've used.