Comments on: The middle ground won't work for Netbooks

The computer industry is trying to find ways to cure confusion around Netbooks. But is the middle ground between smartphones and notebooks hurting Netbooks the most?

[monkeyfun14]

This is why people need to be more tech educated.

[devindotcom]

Starting with Don Reisinger.

[Random_Walk]

Err, why? Nobody chimes in with "that's why people need to be more automotive educated" when they buy a car that doesn't quite satisfy them.

It's like demanding that a consumer get certified in Real Estate sales before buying a house.

You also forget that this is a dynamic market, and that folks buy these things for different reasons. They could be buying a cheap little netbook for their teenaged kid to use, or they could just want something for their non-tech spouse (e.g. a netbook would be perfect for my missus, since all she does on her notebook is surf the web, do emails, and play an occasional flash-based game on the thing. OTOH, I sometimes plug my notebook into the home network and make it part of a mini render-farm, or I use it as an impromptu gaming box).

Some folks may have a notebook/netbook hanging around for other reasons, reasons that no one else would ever think about (I once had one strapped down in my RV trailer as a photo-repository/movie-player/game-box during hunting season, since between it and a 15" LCD monitor, the whole shebang drew only 1/3 the wattage of a small television and DVD player).

[monkeyfun14]

@Random_Walk


But the thing is people get pissed off and act like its the companies fault most of the time because they didn't make a educated decision.
When people buy a car for 10 - 320k they ussually do a little more research so I don't see why they can't do the same when purchasing a piece of electronic equipment.

[Forked_Tongue]

I think there is a market for a more powerful netbook if the manufacturers takes advantage of it. The only reason why they're so limited is the restrictions that both MS and Intel has put on them. A netbook with a dual core cpu, Nvidia/ATI graphics, and a boost of more than 2GB of ram will draw in more satisfied people who would love make this a second, third computer, or more for each member of the family. I have both a netbook and a 14" dual core laptop, I use the netbook far more, I hope AMD or Via reads these posts, if Intel doesn't want our money I know I'll give it to the company who will give me what I want.

[monkeyfun14]

You can only fit so much in a small case.

Netbooks are called netbooks because they are portable and light adding all this extra crap just makes them notebooks does it not?

[nSeika]

Didn't we call those notebook as the ultra-portable class before Intel give us the term "Netbook" ?
If size and weight become the only part that differs it from Notebook class.

[jlt0x]

@ nSeika:

Remember that many ultraportable laptops also have internal DVD writers installed. Netbooks, most notably, don't have them. And many ultraportables have much higher (4-6GB) RAM options as many Netbooks max out at 2GB. I wouldn't run Vista Home using a 1.3GHz Netbook with only 1GB of RAM.

[Regulator7]

Folks don't take their netbooks on the road because wireless data options are too expensive. There's little point to a netbook without the internet. Normal people who bought a netbook because they're cheap aren't going to pay AT&T|Verizon|Sprint|T-Mobile $60/month for 5GB worth of data when they're likely already paying AT&T|Verizon|Sprint|T-Mobile $50/60+ month for their cell phone.

If the carriers had more affordable data plans - something akin to residential rates for DSL/Cable, $20-$30/month, then you'll see more netbooks leaving the house more often.

Until that happens, people are just going to continue to use their iPhones, Pre's, whatever for their mobile internet access.

[jlt0x]

Agreed. You have the most-likely explanation.

Many of the consumers that have rushed out to get a Netbook were only looking for a "deal" on a cheap laptop. I'm sure many of them disregarded the fact that what they were buying is termed "Netbook" and for a technical reason.

There's a reason my local Costco can't give away their supply of the HP netbooks. Most shoppers want to have a small, lightweight laptop; but they also want computing "muscle", generous storage space, fast WiFi, rip & burn DVD/CDs, and ability to run Office apps along with a long list of other possible applications like Photoshop & etc. Netbooks weren't intended for that would be money wasted.

[Portal12]

Netbooks are known by their SMALL FORM FACTOR. These companies releasing "netbooks" with screens larger than 8" basically ruined the entire market these things were filling. They were meant as a cheap, ULTRA-portable substitute over a Notebook. They were designed for people to put in a tiny carry on bag while on vacation to check their email, surf the web at their hotel, update their facebook. They are a quick stopgap between smart phones and actual notebooks. Somewhere idiot vendors started making the screens larger instead of smaller. The OQO is the ultimate netbook, which is what they all were originally aiming for.

The only people to blame are the companies themselves. There is a huge market for netbooks that can fit in your pocket, it's just someone somewhere forgot what the point was.

[Miko34]

I think Netbooks are great for business people who travel on trains or planes for a few hours (especially now since planes are getting WiFi installed. They are also good as a second computer at work to use strictly for personal use (on breaks, of course). That way they won't compromise their workstation with viruses or spyware.

iPhones and the like are great to have for people who want to check prices on items when they are out at the store, or to check weather, traffic, movie times, directions, etc ... as well as texting and making phone calls. I can't see composing too many documents on it or trying to work with a large spreadsheet ... and gaming is limited, as of now.

Students should probably stick to having a notebook. They can bring it to class, library, whatever and still have the processing power for gaming or certain projects that a netbook might not be able to handle.

Overall, the consumer should be able to know what they are buying before they buy it. Either by doing research on their own or asking questions to someone who knows. It usually comes down to Portability vs Power. Manufacturers of Netbooks should bring down the prices as much as they can to differentiate them from notebooks. If that extra cost goes into miniaturization, then that's kinda difficult to do. But if the higher prices are simply because Netbooks were a marketing trend ... then they deserve to be outsold by notebooks.

[nSeika]

I think, netbook is useful if the user can settle down somewhere, have a seat.
Smartphone in the other hand can be used while standing, queuing, walking, driving (regardless of how the danger escalates).

Personally, other than the airplane case where space is very limited, I don't find trouble with carrying slightly larger and heavier notebook. If there's a place to seat and put the computer on, then larger notebook is more comfortable.
But the smartphone is far different.

[yaamo21]

There's an episode of The King of Queens where Arthur Spooner (played by Jerry Stiller) hangs out in a coffee shop all day giving advice to people. Those people find that doing the exact opposite of what Spooner advises ends being the wiser choice, so they keep asking him for advice and they keep doing the opposite.

Just about every post I read here reminds me of that episode.

Take day- or two-day old news, rewrite it, and then analyze it by saying stuff like: "Most PC vendors don't want to put touchscreens in portable computers, therefore they should put touchscreens in portable computers" and "These netbook things will be cannibalized by laptops and smartphones," two things have been around since long before netbooks and that netbooks have been actively cannibalizing since they hit the market.

[HlLLARY CLITON]

as with any product consumers tend to be lazy and not do the research before making a purchase

[lakorai2]

I returned my HP Mini 2140. The charging circuit wasn't working. but in the end, while being one of the nicer netbooks, it still had poor screen resolution (1066x524). It also ran high processor usage in Windows 7 Ultimate and couldn't even handle flash video, even SD ones, without occasionally skipping.

I'll wait till I can get full web page viewing and a dual core, or a much faster single core, machine. I liked the low energy usage and the low heat output (which my ASUS A8JP creates a TON of heat with it's dedicated video card.

Supposedly dual core atoms for netbooks are coming this fall. Dual Core Netbook + expresscard + decent low end GPU = sold

[cvaldes1831]

My 13" MacBook has left the house twice since Apple turned on their App Store a year ago. Today when I step out the front door, I always have my iPod touch (1st generation) in my pocket.

I find myself using my home computer much less these days simply because I get so much done with my iPod touch. This class of devices is the future. Many other countries, this is already pretty well accepted; for example, the Japanese run their lives around their cellphones.

Now that you can get so much accomplished with a device that fits in your pocket, the widespread adoption of netbooks is doubtful.

[bwahblah]

given what it is, i totally agree that netbooks are far overpriced in comparison to say a 12-13" core 2 duo powered notebook. and having said that, from the original 7" eee, netbooks have been getting bigger and more expensive. the sony netbook for example is one where the price is simply ripoff.

i agree with the jist of this commentary and with the comments above; consumers simply need to be more educated.

[carguy622]

If people researched a little more before they bought something they would definately be happier in the end. You don't have to be an expert on Netbooks and Notebooks, but if you're in the market and thinking of buying one it makes sense to find out as much information as possible about all your available options. Sure it will take some time, but you'll be much happier in the end. In this instance ignorance is not bliss.

I always research my purchases before I make then, be it a computer, TV, washing machine, or car. I know all my options and make the best choice for me. When I worked at Sears people used to want the cute camera or the cheapest TV and then I'd end up with returns...

Also, I'd like to mirror the previous comments about Netbooks crossing the line when the screens kept creeping up in size.

[antevans]

I don't believe the 60% number., but a significant minority of consumers are sold the wrong stuff across the board. This has less to do with netbooks being more or less small or slow, and more to do with the fact that the interests of people trying to meet this month's sales targets (who sell features), may not magically match the long term interests of their customers (who buy benefits).

[zelrik]

People tend to be dumb and lazy, moreover the ones that use retailers to buy computers. People that work at retailers tend to be the same kind of people, they dont know **** about computers. I see the following discussion happening :

Customer : "Wow this laptop is small and cheap!! Is is good?"

Vendor : "Of course it is, it's HP, that s a good brand eheheh"

Customer : " Whoaaa an HP for so cheap !! I buy it"

Vendor * Mission accomplished *

[moviegeek65]

I just don't get Netbooks, too big to be a smartphone but lacking in features compared to a laptop(yes I know they are called notebooks now but I don't care)..
Netbooks just don't make sense when you can get a smartphone for $200....which incidentally also make phonecalls.

[albertsoler]

First to blame: The manufacturers

They are the ones who started blurring the distinction between netbooks and notebooks. Netbooks were always meant to be lightweight and light-usage devices. Manufacturers never miss an opportunity to mislead the consumer.

Second to blame: The retailers

The kindest thing that could be said of the sales staff is that they are completely and utterly clueless regarding the technology they are pressed to sell. That is not the staff's fault however. When corporate spends most of the training regimen on *How to deny customers Price Matching -- even though we have a Price Matching Policy!*, there is no time for training them on the distinctions, limitations, pros and cons of netbooks vs. notebooks. Retailers never miss an opportunity to screw the consumer.

[mathteacher909]

I purchased a second hand netbook (Asus eee HD1000) and when I'm teaching I use it constantly. I run all my powerpoint presentations from Openoffice Impress, I keep my grades on an Openoffice Calc spreadsheet, when I see videos that i want my students to see, I download them and play them from the netbook. It's gotten to the point where I can't see myself teaching without it.

But when I'm home and just want to surf the internet, check email, etc., I'm completely happy with my little Nokia n800 MID. It doesn't have the performance of a computer, and the screen is only 4.3" large, but I can get 5-6 hours of internet access on it and the web views are clean and sharp. But it wouldn't work at all as a teaching tool.

So perhaps the real issue is that Smartphones and Netbooks do different things and that purchasing the one doesn't preclude usefulness from the other.

Still, if I could only use 1 device, it would have to be the Netbook. It does everything the Nokia does, and more, but in a somewhat larger size.

[ironbyron_hd]

To all who can't understand netbooks versus smartphones, consider this.

You pay a lot for internet on that smartphone. The additional cost over a budget cell-phone plan over the contract life that you take to get that smartphone at a subsidized price is astounding. Add it up sometime if you never have. You are definately the ones paying a premium for service.

Meanwhile, I have internet at work and at home. I am only on the go from home to work and work to home until the weekend comes around. If I am on the go during the weekend, I have my netbook with me. I purchased a used Asus 1000 EEE and loaded Easypeasy 1.1 on it. It boots in <40 seconds, and it's life ranges from 5-6 hours straight. With suspend to disk, I can leave it on all day and use it only when I need it with even faster boot times. Firefox fits on one page, and I rarely have to scroll horizontally. I can easily check e-mails, and I can reply to them with much more ease than a smartphone. If I'm sending several replies, the time I save is already more than the amount it took to start up. I have N64, genesis, and NES emulators running smoothly on it. On the go retro gaming is great, especially with the long battery life.

For a phone, I don't really use one. I don't pay for one, and I use mostly e-mail. I check so many times a day, that I can usually respond quicker to an e-mail than I ever could to a voice-mail. When I do want to talk to people I use skype, and they can see me when they are talking with me.

This only really works so well for me because I live so close to a lot of free wi-fi spots, and I have always been able to find them rather easily when I travel. If you live far from free wi-fi, then it would seem that you are stuck with 3G and a netbook would not be very useful at all.

[SMR-Steve]

I strongly disagree with this article.

I was in the stone age with my P4 until June. I compared my P4 with a few notebooks and netbooks. Since I really craved XP, a cheap HP Mini is what I went with. When my P4 tower died this month...I've only been using my netbook. I installed my printer drivers, and put my documents on the new computer. I have not looked back. This shatters my P4 experience. It's not a Core 2 - Quad core laptop, but with the emphasis shifting away from high end gaming and towards internet/cloud apps, this little netbook soars compared to my old tower. To be frank, if MS lifted the ram NERFing requirements, there would be very little to distinguish between netbook/notebook. I feel liberated from optical disks with this netbook, like I felt liberated from floppies on my last computer.

I was expecting to have a second computer to surf on, but necessity forced me to view it as my primary and though I thought I would be disappointed, I haven't been. And it smokes my p4 in making movies in movie maker. :) It is superior in every way to my old system. If you are wanting a computer to exceed a purchase made in the last 2 years, then netbooks will be a rude awakening. But otherwise, netbooks are a powerful alternative, filling in the notebook role as notebooks replace the desktop.