I agree to a certain degree, but dis-agree on some things.

One thing is, some looking at this notebook, well, it's a bit like comparing the Lindows Mobile PC to other laptops.
(Similar to comparing a standard desktop computer to the Mini-Itx boards in regards to power)....

I actually own one of these notebooks myself (using it to type this message), and find that it has been an absolute joy to use. I have an external usb2.0 housing, which my spare cdrw drive is in.

The fact that the Lindows Mobile PC has a small 12" screen is actually a plus!..because that's one of the reasons this thing is so darn small.
I love it!
I actually had it on eBay a couple of times, because I was thinking of getting something else. But guess what, no-one bought it! Thinking back now, I'm actually glad they didn't....I'm keeping it!

The only real negative I can think of with this notebook, is that the battery power could have been better, but, you can always buy a second battery, or, take the charger with you when you're at someone elses place, or holiday (which you would anyhow).

If the small screen is not liked, there's no real need to complain, just buy a completely different notebook, and pay more!

This notebook, I believe, has been designed for convenience, size, and price. It does the job it is DESIGNED to do.
~(if you want to go sailing, but a boat, not a motocycle, ie: Buy the correct tool for what you NEED)~

In regards to combo drives, just get a notebook with one in it.
I bought this notebook *because* it is Sooo small. (I was prepared not to have an in-built optical drive). I mainly use this pc for the Internet.
I use Linspire 4.5 and have a membership to the C'NR Warehouse.
(billed to me at US$4.95/month ($7-something Australian/month)

Very affordable and Highly Recommended! [And NO, I don't work for Linspire.com]

In regards to 1Ghz being the bare minimum, well, is 933Mhz really *that* much slower? ...as if you'd notice it, I mean, REALLY......

The new 'Linspire Mobile PC' IS 1Ghz! (1GHZ Antaur)
I bought this one from sub300.com. If you live outside of USA or Canada, just ask Marc about other payment arrangements, he's very helpful.

I did a bank-wire from Australia, long before I could use Paypal! (In Aus, you need a Credit Card or Visa-Debit Card in order to Verify and use Paypal. I didn't have a Debit-Card at the time of ordering this notebook.
Marc gave me the necessary bank data in order to do the transaction. The bank helped me with the rest).

Regards to:
"but we need better and bigger laptop hardware".
You mean, YOU need better and bigger laptop hardware. :)
If you're into video work, or gaming, or LARGE phot files, then, I understand....

But, for Internet, this is quite sufficient.

Regarding:
"Options for wi-fi / wireless should be available for those who want it."
Well, it is!
My USB Wi'Fi pen works just fine!
I can access the Internet in my bed-room, or wirelessly from the loungroom! I must admit though, that could could be more support for more PCMCIA Wi'Fi adapters.......true!

There will be in time. I'm sure the software developers at linspire.com are working on this right now, with future Linspire OS versions.
In the meantime though, I'll just have to continue enjoying my Internet through either the Ethernet port, or my USB Wi-Fi pen, when I'm in the loungeroom, getting access from my wireless ap.

I hope that this posting has claryfied a few things, if there are any readers who actually found this place!
If not, well then I hope you had a great laugh, and I was glad to be of service, and entertainment for a brief moment of your life! :-)

Enjoy.
Best regards to all,
'The_Studios'

Well I thought I'd answer my own question. I decided to go out and buy one (a Lindows Mobile PC) I'm actually using it to type this. Well it's VERY small and light. Very nice. It did come with LindowsOS 3.0 (from where I bought it)...though I did get 4.0 previously. However, regarding my question above about the compatibility and the 56k modem, the answer is YES to both questions. Yes is does have a 56k dial-up modem, and it works with XP. Underneath the unit, when I pulled off a small panel, it looks as what seems to be a bay to install a wi-fi module! If it is I'm buying one It's exactly like another laptop I had, so I'd say there's a good chance. The 56k modem isnt advetrtised, maybe because it may not be compatible with LindowsOS...just a guess, but it works with XP.

>> "I would think someone could pick up a dell or ibm thinkpad for about the same price."

Perhaps, at least a reconditioned one, but have you ever set up Linux on either of those brands of laptops? The Lindows laptop comes out of the box with everything working, from video (typically a sore spot on Linux laptops) to PCMCIA.

As for WiFi and modem, I'd rather be able to choose the one I wanted, and with wireless standards still in flux having one of today's flavors built in could be a real impediment later. One of my laptops -- a real top-of-the-line "executive" model -- has the very be-all and end-all of modems built in, a fire breathing 28.8K model. Whoosh! (-:

the line is "who keeps the metric system down?"

I heard 1.5 to 2 hours. It has to be a very small battery.

of sorts. mini-ITX is a standard for very small motherboards (like the via epia boards, etc). So it's not a desktop ATX form factor, but it is a much more standard board configuration (who knows about the board itself) than the average laptop :-)