The battery is fairly easily replaced, though it does require a screwdriver.
That said, I don't like embedded batteries. Presumably it was a trade-off in making the machine thinner, but I still don't like it.
It may be over-hyped, as that's a matter of perspective. As for it being more expensive; the Dell and Fujitsu ultra-portables seem to be largely comparable in price; cheaper than a similar sony.
http://origin.arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/01/16/macbook-air-spec-shootout?bub
If I hadn't gotten a new Del laptop for work just last year, I'd be seriously considering this machine, as I travel a fair amount. The Lifebooks, OQOs and other ultra-portable, full-featured machines have been calling my name for a while now.
Oh, and the ethernet port on this Dell laptop has been dead since I got it, and it really hasn't bothered me much. I would still rather have one than not, as many hotels and offices still don't have wifi access, but I've only had any serious difficulty on that front once in the past year. I think the battery is a more important concern - more so for long flights or other times when a *second* battery is handy, rather than concern over when the battery needs to be replaced.
