Although vendors position netbooks as complementary to a primary desktop or notebook PC, some consumers may develop unrealistic expectations of what netbooks can and can't do.

Given that netbooks have limited processing power, that second list is pretty long, encompassing pretty much everything from editing digital photos and video to keeping the kids quiet in the back seat of the car during long trips. VARs might even have to do damage control with unsatisfied netbook customers, which in the worst-case scenario could threaten their trusted adviser status.