I'd only read about not being able to replace the HDD, but permanent memory modules? I'd say this is news, since I haven't heard of this situation in any other computer in recent memory.
Of course now i read that Mac Airs do the same, so i feel silly. (Edit)
Yeah, the Macbook Airs have done that from the very start. Not sure about how widespread it is overall but both Sony's Vaio Custom Z and the ASUS Zenbook Prime have fixed non-upgradeable RAM.
Of course now i read that Mac Airs do the same, so i feel silly. (Edit)