Netbooks' achilles heel isn't processing power, it's screen size
thestandard.com
thestandard.com
If they can put those processors in desktops ("Nettops"), they should be able to put them in standard-sized notebooks. Altho I'm not sure MS will still allow XP on them, and -barring Linux- XP is needed for battery life and performance.
It's well established that larger screen sizes increase productivity. A 9/10" screen may be sufficient for web-browsing, but I'd like to use the device for many other things, and I'd like it to be more than barely sufficient anyway.
There isn't much difference in the portability of a 15" laptop and a 10" one. Neither can be pocketed; both need a laptop case.
I own a Mac Book Pro and bought an Aspire One primarily because I was tired of lugging around the MBP. There is a huge difference. It's hard to realize until you have both, but the MBP feels giant and I hardly move it now.
One thing I bet they will do in future revs is up the video power so you can hook it into larger external screens--the VGA out to my 24" doesn't look so hot.
Low replacement cost is a really good feature for a mobile and helps me appreciate the small size and weight more. For example, if I go somewhere with my MBP it stays with me at all times. That's a huge pain in the ass sometimes, the last time I was in Vegas I had the MBP on my shoulder for 4 days straight. But if I go somewhere with my Aspire One I don't feel bad about leaving it in the glove box or whatever.
I wouldn't make a netbook my main computer until they get a bit more power (especially VRAM), but it makes a great accessory. I have used it a lot more than I thought I would. It's quite popular when I have people over too, which is nice because I don't have to worry about what's running on my main computer (shell sessions and what not). If someone wants to drink and YouTube there's now a laptop sitting on the coffee table at all times.
Probably not for everyone, but a very high percentage of people who have used mine expressed interest in getting one. Wouldn't be surprised if a few already bought one.
With my MacBook Pro (15.4"), I can get a good 4-5 hours per battery (I've got two batteries, one a year old and one 2-3 months old) if all I'm doing is surfing the net or reading an ebook/watching a non-HD show. And it takes maybe, 10 seconds to switch my battery and a minute to boot back up and back to what I was previously doing.
Until there's a netbook that gets an average battery life longer then my current setup, I've got no reason to switch - or even recommend a netbook to someone over a regular laptop. This way has a nice screen size, good wifi range, same battery life, etc. And I'd carry the same bag around either way.
Fun facts: the MBP battery is about half the size of my [whole] netbook, not far from the weight and most amazingly a replacement MBP battery costs 40% of the price of the netbook.
This isn't any better on the 9" versions either...