[allwein]

Netbook generally isn't about form factor, it's about use factor. A netbook is made for lightweight browsing, emailing, IM'ing, etc. You know, stuff on the 'net.

The new MBA falls into the class of devices known as ultraportables. It's a full powered machine in a very small form factor/weight factor.

[elblanco]

This is an interesting point. I actually use my netbook for lots more than stuff on the net. I pretty much use it as an ultra portable laptop. I don't expect awesome performance for it, but hey, it was $270 so I get what I pay for. It can run some old games on it, I play Sim City 4k on it all the time and it does ok. I can run all of Office on it, do some light photo editing on it, etc.

I've used it in a pinch to replace my desktop when my 5 year old power supply bit the dust. It did "ok".

If you compare it to other ultra-portables, the MBA seems to be competitively priced compared some of the ultra high end stuff.

But you can still get ultraportables for about 1/2 of the MBA with competitive specs.

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/dell-inspiron-m101z/4505-312...