Re: Small
I say to folks they are to replace a tablet when you find that stabbing a screen with your finger to type doesn't cut it. I know a few folks that have dumped tablets for Chromebooks.
So the smaller size works, plus they don't have as much hardware in them as a standard laptop so you can reduce the size again.
My fave Chromebook size is 11".
I think the smaller screen thing has been BS/laziness all along. Might have taken Google to push OEMs to deliver smaller screens at a lower price.