What use are Netbooks?

I've heard a lot of discussion about netbooks, that their low power, small storage and small screen size prevents them from being very useful to anyone. I've also heard that so many Linux-based netbooks are quickly returned to retailers in favour of machines with Windows installed.

I think that these facts expose a problem many people have with Netbooks in that they expect them to replace larger laptops and desktop machines. The point of these devises is that they fulfill a different role, that's why they are referred to as 'Netbooks'. 

I use this netbook for a very particular set of tasks.  I browse the internet, maintain this blog and email using it,  I very occasionally write reports/articles on it and that's it.  I don't try to replace my laptop with it.

Yes I did find the 800 pixel wide Asus eee 701 limiting, but this 8.9 inch, 1000 pixel screen on the Acer allows me to browse the net with the vast majority of websites working perfectly.  I can write on this perfectly well, and email happily.

The small size becomes a bonus, and the low power/low storage capacity is not an issue.  I've elected to use a Linux based machine because the fast boot and shutdown times again become a bonus. The few open-source applications included with Linux distributions that I use for the stated uses are easily learned.

So Netbooks are useful, if you don't try to replace your main machine with them.  This then has an implication on the perception of Netbooks as a group, and impacts on the possible size of the market for them!