Last year a bunch of research firms put out studies showing that netbook shipments in 2008 were up over 2007 shipments by astronomical figures. That’s hardly surprising since the Eee PC 701 was pretty much the only netbook on the market in 2007, and it didn’t hit the streets until November of that year. But while 2008 was a big year for mini-laptops, it looks like 2009 was an even bigger year. Strategy Analytics says that netbook shipments grew by 79% in 2009.
That comes to 30.2 million netbooks shiped globally in 2009. The researchers says Acer, Asus, HP, and Dell led the pack, although as we also know Toshiba, Samsung, MSI, and others have put out fairly well received netbooks.
Strategy Analytics predicts 2010 will be another strong year for netbooks. But the traditional concept of a mini-laptop with a low power processor, 10 inch or smaller screen, and nearly full sized keyboard may be under attack. We’re going to see a number of companies launch tablet-style devices that could eat away at the netbook market this year. And a growing number of PC makers are putting out 11 and 12 inch notebooks with more powerful graphics and processing capabilities than netbooks, but which generally offer decent battery life at an affordable price.
I’m sure Strategy Analytics probably has some information I’m not privy to which leads to their conclusion that netbooks will be able to fend off those challenges. But I don’t feel like spending $7,000 on their full report to find out.
via Eee PC.net
“With the iPad still two months away,” writes FT’s David Gelles of the Apple e-book strategy, “there are many unanswered questions. For example, it is unclear whether users will be able to download non-DRM e-books from the web and read them, and what impact a Kindle app on the iPad will have on Apple’s own digital books sales.” Bravo to FT for helping to educate consumers. NIL points for iPad here.
Furthermore, if you believe the figures, DELL, HP and Toshiba will see a slump in Laptop sales, not even considering the more believable figures of netbooks sold in 2010/11. Considering Chrome OS, Google and software like ‘Netbook Pack’ https://www.netbookpack.co.uk which upgrades any netbook to a Chrome OS version for $49.00 – it seems hard to believe the estimated sales figures for the iPad will stack up.
More here: https://www.whytwitter.co.uk
Think netbooks will have another good year, but ist just won’t be a great year to buy another netbook. If you bought a netbook 12-18 months ago you won’t find much to ‘upgrade’ into unless you bought a lemon netbook last year.
With that said, I think the market will provide very large for selling people their ‘first netbook’ or first tablet. The market is still very open to the basic 10″, Atom CPU, 160 GB HDD netbook. Such netbooks are great values, and if you can get one with a ION or a Broadcaom HD chip all the better.
The reason I bought the Asus EEE 701a and Acer Aspire One was the light weight and portablity of them. I have a bigger notebook computer but it is balky to carry with me to most places. I also like the low price. I think this – IMO – the selling point for netbooks.
IMO – anything bigger than 10 inch is a mini-laptop and not really a netbook computer.
I think tablets have their usages but I do not think they will threaten netbook sales. One can do so much more with a netbook.
Not to get overly side tracked, and often I’m guilty of this debate, however…
An 11 inch or 12 inch computer with Atom isn’t a netbook because? By the same logic, why is a 10 inch computer also called a smartbook in some cases? You know why. It’s because of the… processor. Sure price and weight have a role in definition, but let’s get real. What is actually a “netbook computer” needs to evolve with reality. Unfortunately, some of us are stuck in our thinking. Netbook has evolved, I just wish other posters and bloggers would evolve with the product. Atom is the true key in the netbook definition now.
And what about those other netbooks that use AMD/Via CPUs?
Not to mention many online resellers now refer to CULV laptops as netbooks.
Quite frankly, the netbooks, like laptops and desktops, are defined by more than one element; no single element can collectively define netbooks and netbooks only.
Personally, I define netbooks as low-power, small, light weight (<3 lbs) x86 platform computers. But being a subcategory of notebooks, netbooks is very vaguely defined and often overlaps other sectors of notebooks (ultraportables, thin and lights, etc.)
I would disagree on the point of a “threat” from tablets. Quite honestly, I’m not so sure about tablets. It sounds great, but from a productivity perspective, listing the can do’s and can not do’s compared to netbooks, I think you will find netbooks can do it all, plus more. Mainstream public don’t enjoy non MS operating systems. Most people want to work and type. A tablet will have a real identity crisis simply because you can’t type on it and you will see ereaders will far superior battery life. A netbook will server far more value than a tablet. Further, if ION 2 really is endorsed by all the manufacturers, then even more reason for increased netbook market share in 2010. Now of course the companies want to keep netbooks at bay, otherwise people will opt for a cheaper 10-12″ Atom computer with ION and will not be interested in jumping into their ULV higher priced bracket.