I don't think whether the raw specs and/or architecture can handle audio recording is really the issue -- I suspect the specs and architecture are perfectly cabable of doing so. The bigger issue in my mind is creating and maintaining a reliable netbook recording environment. Software, drivers, services, and other configurations -- and not only those obviously used for audio recording -- can all have an impact on whether or not the netbook recording environment is reliable and stable. Even something as simple as Windows Updates or anti-virus updates could have an impact on the stability of the platform. That's where the real headache comes into play: creating, and more importantly maintaining, a reliable platform. And for me, that's the attraction of a dedicated recorder: simplicity and stability.