If Chrome OS had a package manager hooked into Debian's (or anyone's) repos, I'd be all over this. I do almost all of my non-programming work in the browser, but I can't leave the batteries included world of Linux behind just yet.
Most of mine is done offline, which is so far the dealbreaker for the Chromebook for me. I need to be able to run vim on a local filesystem on a plane. I hear it's possible to root the Chromebook though?
Solid state hard drive, acceptable processor, 6 hour battery. Could be an awesome linux box. Though, you always could just flash it and put your own OS on there.