Netbooks: Not a question of ‘Either, or’ but instead ‘Whether, not’.
Brooke Cothers formerly at CNET and now as WSJ has written a post detailing AMD and Intel’s thoughts on the netbook market. Stu Pann, VP Sales & Marketing doesn’t see the netbook as a device that can be used ‘all day’ but more like ‘an hour’. I think I would have to disagree. Much like tablets and UMPCs, Netbooks have definitely appealed to a niche market, however this niche market is growing at an increasing pace.
The netbook is and has always been a product complimentary to the notebook and will never replace it. The problem exists is the requirement of a light, portable laptop for non-intensive tasks such as office tasks and web browsing. Laptops such as the MSI Wind have provided a solution almost perfectly. A decent keyboard, enough hardware capability to run Vista and a 1024×600 screen has served quite well. The only problem that lies is the one that has plagued the notebook market too and that is of a longer battery life.
I have, and continue to, use my Wind as an all day device when I take it to university for notetaking in lectures with having to charge it in between lectures. The people that are dissatisfied with the netbook are those that have unrealistic expectations of it. These machines aren’t meant to be used for Video Production or Adobe Photoshop. As for those talking about the price ($300-$600) bordering and even beating the prices of regular notebooks fail to realise it’s not a question of ‘Either or‘ but instead of ‘Whether or not‘ a person’s use case warrants the requirement of a netbook.
Tags: amd, intel, netbook
I’ll have to agree with you .
Most of my work in my laptop (most, not all) is over the internet and I’m pretty sure its the same with most of the people out there.
If netbooks were to come out say, 2-3 years back, NO ONE would get the idea (and frankly I’m surprised some don’t now either).
for example the market of Smartphones vs. MID .. It just isn’t gonna make a big difference now as its practically of less use to the masses at the moment.
Convergence is a great thing, but ergonomics has a Huge role to play in it.
I agree netbooks have a good balance between ergonomics and practical use.
My last laptop was a Toshiba A15-S1292, so anything is going to be better at this point, but for what it’s worth…
I haven’t found one complaint with my new ASUS Netbook except for leaving finger prints all over it… but I got over that issue really quick. The long battery life is awesome!
I upgraded to 2GB and purchased the external DVD drive.
I would definitely recommend this Netbook.