There are two things I should point out about this headline. First, it doesn’t really matter what Intel says, PC makers are free to set computer prices at will. And second, while Intel’s latest guideline may sound like good news for consumers interested in picking up cheap mini-laptops, Intel had originally suggested prices of $299 or less. But Fudzilla reports that the chip maker has acknowledged the fact that computer makers have been selling pricier netbooks for a while, and now suggests netbooks should be priced at $400 or less.
Intel’s other guidelines for what separates a netbook from a fuller featured notebook? If it has a screen between 7 and 12 inches, for instance, along with a low price, it’s a netbook. Intel would also probably prefer it if all netbooks used Intel Atom or Celeron processors, but I think it’s safe to say that any cheap mini-laptop with a low power Intel, VIA, or even AMD processor can probably be considered a netbook. If it looks like a duck and all that.
Of course, there are still plenty of netbooks with 10 inch or smaller screens that are going for more than $400, but most Intel Atom based systems sell for under $500.
Intel and Microsoft are trying to keep netbooks freom cannibalizing more lucrative markets. So, they try to define the market for netbooks instead of letting the market define itself. They’re keeping back innovation, pure and simple, because of greed.
Intel created the category…yet you accuse them of keeping back innovation. hater.
Intel created the Classmate as a direct response to OLPC XO-1; to not let competitors create/dominate new large area of the market.
Well, Intel said $299 when 7″ and 8.9″ machines were the norm shipping with Linux. With todays 1″ machines with XP and fancy parts $400 is okay.
$400 is an expensive netbook.
Of course a lot of this discussion depends on what your definition of a netbook is. Some food for thought here:
https://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/06/netbook-evolution/
I argue that they should have a base price of $300 or less.
Intel also thought I should pay (them) $385 for my 80387/20 – –
Back in the day when $100US would buy more than a loaf of bread.