I haven't read the rest of the thread yet, but I'm going to go ahead and answer the first post.
I've been wanting a netbook before they even had a name. I wanted a tiny laptop that I could carry around for word and excel and calendars and contacts and notes and all those other things that I like to have but don't want to bother with little mostly empty books for. I've bought several handheld devices that just didn't cut it. Sony had one way back then but it was over $1000 and as much as I wanted it, I thought that price was crazy.
I was so excited to be able to finally get one for under $400!
Do you like/love it? I've wanted it forever so, yes, I love it!
Do you read your books on it? No.
What are the downsides? (Besides the obvious lack of storage/memory) None, for me, but I didn't buy it to be a computer -- I have several of those
-- I bought it to be a portable internet/email/limited application device.
Which one do you have? Why did you get that particular one? I have an ASUS eeePC 1000HE because my husband the computer geek -- who doesn't understand why someone would buy a $400 netbook when they can get a fully functional 15" notebook for $650 -- recommended it. His recommendations are always spot on because he does pay attention to what I'm looking for, even when it doesn't match what he would do.
what is your power source, do you have to find a 'hot spot' for free internet access when you are out an about? I don't know if I understand the question, but I have only used it at home or at a hotel. I don't literally take it everywhere with me.
What am I not understanding about them? I'm not sure what you are asking. I'm thinking you agree with my husband? I think they fit a specific niche that not everyone necessarily fits.
I wouldn't be doing anything that required security on one, no banking or anything. Honestly, I haven't thought about this at all. All of my bookmarks are on my main computer and likely to stay that way. This isn't a computer replacement for me.
I"m just thinking this would be a great way to store Calibre and all my treasures.. Yep, I do this. And I'm going to run my Silhouette off of it, essentially making that a portable device (it's an electronic cutter that requires a computer to use it -- basically a scrapbooking/crafting tool.)
I take it, along with my PictureMate 4x6 photo printer, to my mom's house to print photos off of her camera for her. So much easier than dragging along a big laptop AND the printer!
I'm also going to use it for my scanner that seems to not like Vista. Up until now I have been lugging my giant 17" laptop downstairs, hooking it up to the scanner, and then lugging it back up when I'm done. We hooked it up to my new desktop computer but I haven't been able to get it to work (I'm blaming Vista.
) The netbook should be so much easier to carry back and forth!
As time goes on I'm sure I'll think of other things that it will be nice to use it to do.