"Netbooks don't have nearly the horsepower of current full-size laptops, but they have more than enough for most of the things most people do most of the time.
"Linux-based models will appeal to non-technical users with minimal computing demands. Windows XP models appeal to the millions of people already comfortable using Microsoft's now 7-year-old operating system. Not interested in Vista? Netbooks are the easiest (although not the only) way to get a new computer with XP.
"The small size will appeal to some, the low price will appeal to others and the combination was, to me, irresistible.
"As an adult techie, my interest in netbooks is mostly for traveling. Any laptop computer that gets dragged around on trips is sooner or later going to be lost, stolen or broken. When that befalls one of my machines, I want it to be a netbook. That is, I don't want to carry around a heavy, expensive laptop with all my applications, files and email on it. Rather, I want to travel with a machine that has only minimal software installed and has only the files I need while traveling (if nothing else, that makes securing those files easier). And, if something bad happens to the computer, better it be a cheap one rather than an expensive one."
