I still like where the Core i3 ultraportables sit, like my Acer 1830t, which was $550 after cashback/etc about 4-5 months ago.
-The integrated graphics can handle older non-FPS games like Civ IV just fine. Do you really need to play Crysis while waiting for a flight at the airport or whatever?
-The CPU is about 50% faster than that HP
-I've gotten 7 hrs from the battery (using office apps), more like 3.5 when gaming or watching movies though
-I dropped in a 64GB Crucial C300 SSD, and I can honestly say that Windows 7/Office 2010 is snappier on my 1.2 Ghz dual-core ultraportable than my 4 Ghz quad core desktop with its Velociraptor HDD
The Atom netbooks have about the same processing power as the newest smartphones, and 10.1" is too small for a useful keyboard. 11.6", 3 lbs is the sweet spot right now between portability, usability, performance, and price, IMHO.