Are Notebooks good enough for very basic stuff?

[PotatoChip]

I have a very nice (but aging) Dell laptop currently, but it is really way more computer than I need. Plus, I hate dealing with Dell! When the time comes to replace it, I'm thinking of going with something much less expensive, as long as I am still able to reliably do the following:

1) Surf the Net
2) E-Mail
3) Watch videos (usually just of the YouTube variety)
4) Online purchases and banking.

That is pretty much it. I'm not into 'gaming' or any such thing. I don't bother storing pics or music. And I won't be needing it for work related stuff. In other words, there would be nothing on it that I'd be afraid to lose if it were to 'crash' (or whatever).

Here is some info on a very inexpensive (only $249.00!) Samsung Chromebook. I saw a number of very good reviews for it:

Samsung 11.6" Chromebook Series 3 16GB Wi-Fi - Dual Core 1.7GHz, 2GB RAM, Google Chrome OS, Silver. Limit 1 per customer. This product is severely constrained. Estimated shipment date is late January (XE303C12-A01US)

Would it be good enough for the few simple things I care about? Are there very many (if any) downsides to buying something like this? For example, -(and please pardon my ignorance on this kind of thing)- is there an adequate enough amount of RAM or memory (or whatever) for at least 3 years of use? Or would I be needing to replace it often?

Thanks in advance to anyone who is willing to provide advice and/or opinion on this.

[PoliticAverse]

1. Read the customer reviews of this on Newegg...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834131403

And Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-XE303C12-A01US-Chromebook-Wi-Fi-11-6-Inch/product-reviews/B009LL9VDG/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

[PotatoChip]

2. Good links. Thanks!

Lots of info on the Amazon site. Haven't read the 1 star reviews yet though.

I do like the fact that it is so slim and compact. I noticed that a lot of the other reviewers in your links seemed to as well.

[Melissa G]

3. I had a Samsung NC 10 netbook that lasted me for 4 years.

The screen started to futz out, so I just acquired a used Dell lattitude that I am enjoying immensely.
My net book was handy, but less than thrilling with videos. Not sure if you can do banking on the Nooks or Kindle fires; otherwise they might be good choices.

I looked at the chrome book and something talked me out of it. I can't remember what it was. I think it might have been the 16 GB.
Good luck!

[Warren Stupidity]

4. At the low end I think tablets are better choices than netbooks.

But if you go up a notch to an ultrabook either pc or mac you get a boatload more computer for not much more money. Toshiba, Samsung, Lenovo all have really nice ultrabook class devices out that aren't Dell, but the Dell ultrabook ain't bad either. Otherwise ipad-mini or regular or kindle fire hd.