Not only must you settle on a screen size, you also have touch-enabled machines to consider -- and don't forget those Atom-powered hybrids, which pull double duty as standalone slates and full-fledged laptops.

ENGADGET: 's holiday gift guide 2012: ultraportables

The slate wouldn't be a barnstormer with a 1.8GHz Atom Z2760 and 2GB of RAM, but performance also wouldn't be its selling point -- the W3 would be small enough to fit in one hand while carrying the full software support of a PC.

ENGADGET: Acer Iconia W3 reportedly leaks, mates an 8-inch tablet with Windows 8

It's not like it's ready for the mass market as-is, but it's clear that a manufacturer wouldn't have much trouble building a sexy Atom-based form factor to back this display.

ENGADGET: Stantum multitouch Slate PC prototype hands-on Hands-on

"As humans we can identify galaxies light years away, we can study particles smaller than the atom, but we still haven't unlocked the mystery of the 3lb of matter that sits between our ears, " he said.

BBC: Obama proposes brain mapping project

Nevertheless, based on this table and other mounting evidence, first and second generation Eee PC owners shouldn't feel any compulsion to rush out and upgrade to Atom on day 1.

ENGADGET: Secrets of the Atom cracked, Wind PC revealed

Intel isn't having much success keeping its upcoming Bay Trail-era Atom platform under wraps.

ENGADGET: Intel roadmap leak outlines Bay Trail-based Atom for tablets in detail: 3D cameras, half the energy draw

Of course, this is just another twist in the endless argument about Ion, but despite the denials, this isn't the first time we've heard whispers that Intel pretty much forces manufacturers to buy complete Atom chipsets -- the dearth of Ion-powered netbooks in the market is fairly suspicious considering the GeForce 9400M at the heart of the platform is a well-known quantity.

ENGADGET: CE-Oh no he didn't! Part LX: NVIDIA calls Intel's single-chip Atom pricing "pretty unfair"