Yeah, this is basically (yet another) EeePC competitor. Overall, it doesn't look like a bad little system... Maybe a bit overpriced, but a lot of systems look that way compared to the Eee line.
As for VIA... My only experience with them was on an AMD motherboard chipset. I used to think motherboard brand mattered more than chipset brand. After owning an ASUS A7V board with a VIA chipset, I changed my mind regarding that assumption. Now, I research which chipset I want. :lol: