Tod,
We have been using an Eee 7 inch PC for a few years. We got 2 of them when they first came out. Loaded Windows on them so I could put the charting program on it. Then loaded Portable Apps on it (on the SD card) so I can use them each as a plotter in case one went belly-up. So far, the only problem we have had has just started. One of them is not reacting to every left mouse (rocker bar) click.
Was using SeaClear, but now that OpenCPN is out it works a LOT better!! I got a wired USB GPS "puck" on line for US$35.00.
Greg