Sorry to say this, but being able to see the writing on the screen is important; size matters y'know.
Performance is about the same as a "modern" machine; but whatever, at least I can max out my CPU by ripping a DVD using HandBrake.
Having the ability to change the disk, now SSD, whenever I need is also a bonus. With the same RAM as is available now, I can still run 4 VMWare VMs and still use the machine for something else.
Now stop drinking the kool aid and check out the lack of new features in the "latest" machines -- as pushed by the appropriately named Mr Shiller. They're smaller than necessary; don't have replaceable parts; have shiny shiny displays (no choice of the matt screen for you); don't have an ethernet chuff for secure networks. My machine's battery life's long enough for me (4+ hours, more if I turn off JavaScript). Oh, and
have a look at the benchmarks -- three years has moved performance on from 11,051 to 14,418 woo hoo.
Oh well, back on my head...