If the OP is looking for something in Netbook size range the 11.6 MBA and Samsung Series 9 machines are, as others have said, excellent but they are in the $900+ range. Sony (YB series) HP, and Lenovo (130e) also make 11 inch class machines that use AMD processors and graphics. Speed is adequate for office tasks and they can easilly play HD video. Should be able to pick one up for about half the price of the MBA.

If the OP is willing to consider a used or refurb machine a Sony Z can be found for not much more and these are fully powered machines. Likewise a refurbed Lenovo X 220 12.5 with an i5 sometimes goes for $650.

Short of 3d gaming, photoshop, or CAD, there isn't much these machines can't do.

We have a winner!

I did this to my brother's netbook and it is amazing the differance. I gave it Peppermint Ice (which is based on Mint). He is not a techy guy either and is able to use it just fine.

I second the HP DM1Z recommendation - especially after adding an SSD, this thing is one of the best investments I've ever made in a portable machine.

Looks like a nice 13" thin and light, but positively huge compared to a 10" Netbook.

The 11" MBP is a nice piece of kit, although the ULV i5s are pretty slow, and it's pricy. The Dell E6220 is a bit porkier, but refurbs are by far the cheapest full-power ultraportables (regularly about $600, about $450 right now on a coupon: http://content.dell.com/us/en/dfb/d/...52&lid=2034845 ) ... the Lenovo X220 is a bit nicer, still a good bit heavier.

Even the 11.6" MacBook and the comparable Ultrabook models are quite a bit bulkier than 10" netbooks. On the other hand, 10" models are really tough to do much with, and are mostly getting replaced with tablets.

I've got both and, from my POV, there's no way my tablet is going to replace my netbook. For typing and flexibility of programs, there's no comparison. If all you do is surf the net and watch videos, sure, the tablet might be an easier go-to device.

I agree. a netbook/laptop with mouse makes the creation and editing of word documents so much easier...

In my experience, the tiny screen, incredible slow processor and cramped keyboard on typical 10" netbook wasn't really usable, almost more trouble than the size. The difference in capabilities, in particular, between my former 10" netbook (Dell Mini 10v) and my present 12" subnotebook (Lenovo X200s, hardly a screamingly fast or capable system!) is huge.

The cost difference when new was huge too. The processor speeds on the newer dual-core 10" netbooks are better, but still not up to where the cheaper 11.6"/12" subnotebooks have been for the past couple of years, and it doesn't address the screen and keyboard.

I think it should be clarified that, a netbook should NOT be a replacement for, and should not be compared to a laptop. The netbook meets certain uses, one of which is portability. Most of us that have a netbook, also have laptop for "real" work. A netbook will never be a replacement for a laptop, period!

If not considering the "pure" netbook route....

1) One of the Toshiba Portege line - arguably the longest running series of Ultralights and very close to netbook size, but with better performance. Even better with a SSD.

2) Asus Transformer Prime. Keyboard when you need it, pad when you don't. Size of a netbook. Wait for the HD version in June.

Never say never, however agree that at the moment it is not realistic for most people for a netbook to replace a laptop. Particularly for anyone working with numbers (i.e. excel) the netbook/ipad/etc is just not practical at the moment.

I do recall many years ago when at my office the discussion was "a laptop will never replace a desktop". Not a lot of desktops around anymore actually.

I bought one of these about two months ago when my Dell finally died. Love the size, and the speed is decent. ^

The line between an ultraportable laptop and a netbook is a thin one, and for many of us, a regular ultraportable can't replace the desktop-replacement laptop.

"Netbook," "ultrabook" (should Intel's name for MBA-clones catch on), "ultraportable," "thin and light", "desktop replacement" are all very rough areas within a continuum of power and portability. Some people have a use for two machines at different points in the continuum, some don't. Of those that do, which two points are worth filling will vary.

Note for example the discussions of the HP DM1z here (11.6", non-Atom-processor, a bit pricier than the standard netbook mark), which may or may not qualify as a netbook or an inexpensive ultraportable, depending on who you ask.

If you count the less expensive models in the 11.6"-12.5" class as "netbooks" (and going by marketing, some are, some aren't) then I a lot more people are going to be pleased with them than with the 10" models.

Odd, I see tons of them around. Lots more laptops than used to be, and more new sales of them (in part because the useful life of a desktop is much longer), but the total number of desktops I see has plateaued, rather than shrunk.

Great point, the RZ835 is I think the lightest ultrabook right now, and I think BB has has had it for about $700 with a harddisk. Everyone says the display is designed to flex (probably and inch or more), but it still makes me nervous.

An ultrabook costs many times what a netbook does. I too found my MSI Wind U100 with 2GB RAM and XP slow. but wasn't about to spend $1000 on an ultrabook. I got Acer Aspire one 7222 series with dual core AMD (C60), WINDOWS 7 (Home Pro) 4GB or RAM, 500 GB HD and 6 cell Li-ion battery (about 5 hours), for $349. It went for $250 during black Friday sale. My MSI Wind cost me $279+ $24 (to upgrade to 2GB) and $50 for a 9 cell battery, about the same as the Acer Aspire. The MSI was a floor model. I have only had it for a week. So far i like it. I have an offer of $250 nfor my three year old netbook.

I've also sold off my old Asus EEE PC 1000HA. I was looking over the weekend for replacements (Sony YB, etc) and still decided to get the HP DM1Z. Although others have similar specs (AMD E450, 4GB RAM, 640 GB HDD), the HP actually had the best battery life and the most accessible layout (for RAM, HDD). I'll upgrade to a SSD in the near future but I can tell it's runs at a very decent processing speed that'll just get better after the SSD goes in.

I'm surprised you got offered that much as new ones (with better specs) cost about the same, at least in YVR. Sold mine off for $200.