the theoretical market for chromebooks is people who only want a computer for facebook and email and want to buy something simple and cheap.

in practice, i think the market is just nerds who want to play with a chromebook because it's new and cool. i appreciate what google is trying to do with chromeOS, and i think it's a good idea, but they have failed miserably at marketing it to non-techies.

In terms of providing simple email, web use and facebook, the Chromebook may be out-performed by most modern mobile phones.

for general, non-mobile use, a 3.5-4" screen does not outperform a 12" screen.

And numerous modern mobile phones actually cost more than a Chromebook (especially unsubsidized by cell phone contract).

If it's secure, easy to use and browses "the Facebook" I could see giving them to a relative and saivng a fair amount of tech support time. Granted an iPad fills the same nitch but it costs twice as much.

The iPad is only $150 more. A great conditioned used 1st gen iPad you can get for $50 more. I'll take a 1st gen ipad over this Chromebook easy.

It depends on whether you want a keyboard, too, or not. A keyboard costs extra money for iPad, and it's not a very elegant solution either. I'd much prefer an Asus Transformer if I were to choose a tablet over a Chromebook.