I intend to pickup a "netbook" running the Intel ATom Processor N270. I beleive it is a less powerfull processor on the lines of a celeron. Will it be able to run autocad - even though it might be slow and slugish, it would be better than lugging the 6 lbs laptops to site.

The name "netbook" should give you an idea of what the laptop is designed for...web cruising. It's not meant for running apps such as CAD. I'm not saying it won't be able to do it, but my guess is it will be painfully slow. The Atom is much slower than the Celeron. If the ability to run CAD is important, get a laptop with a *real* CPU. And if carrying 6lbs around is too much for you, you might wanna consider putting that money toward a gym membership :-) http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews... http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/1... "If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions" - Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) in Pulp Fiction

How is CAD accelerated (CPU only, or GPU)? The dell m1330 is about under 5lbs and can handle the task. I'd recommend the d430, it's a sub3lb 12.1" laptop but with a 1.2ghz Core2; this will definitely run better than an Atom. Any 14.1" laptop will be around 5lbs and so once you add the power adapter it'll definitely be under 6lbs.

There is also a cost factor - $1000 to a mere $300 for a atom based machine