SSD+*nix = ASUS 901, without a doubt. If you're comfortable with *nix, you can't beat their Debian/Xandros underpinnings, and if you don't like that, you can wait a bit for Ubuntu. Atom processor support is growing fast.

HP has a decent one in the XP Home class, Lenovo's "me to" is underwhelming. Avoid the Acer.

Thank you all for your input on this. As far as a "laptop" or "Netbook," they are way, way beyond the capacity of my 90 year-old F.O.L. I think the "This is about the size of the largest font" (from Yuccahead, above, which I can't duplicate here) would be O.K. for him.

Once again, thanks to all responses.

I have the asus eee 900... i got it with 16gb ssd and xp. As soon as I got it home, i put ubuntu on it (you can get a eee version of it at http://www.ubuntu-eee.com/ with everything needed for the eee (not their new version - too flashy, but the last one). Very simple install. But if your a true geek, then get ubuntu fresh from and do an install and follow the hacks on the web to get it working good.

Ohhh, and get a big sd card too... got a 32gb to keep some music, movies, and back up the 16 ssd. Also got an additional battery for the eee out of some asian country... something like 4 times the working time (but at 6 times the size).

With that combo, i'm good for any flight i'll take. Its my personal laptop when i take my massive 14lb one from work. Joys of being a geek.