It goes without saying that as an editor of a netbook related blog, readers will be interested for my take on such a report.

The article says that conventional laptops are killing netbooks. But these conventional laptops are as small,  as light, as cheap BUT definitely more powerful than netbooks.

I have said times and times again that people buy netbooks because they are small, light and inexpensive versions of laptops. They don’t really care about the category name but are more interested in the benefits and features of the machine over the category name.

It’s only us tech pundits who notice that people are shopping for and buying ultra-light, small notebooks over netbooks. Consumers are just getting a light , small and inexpensive computer that also happen to be powerful. It happens to be called a (really small) laptop.

Get my logic?

What’s your take?

Many months ago, tech pundits were predicting how the Apple tablet was going to make netbooks as obsolete as type writers. Now that the iPad is out and we’ve heard and read what it’s all about, we can safely say that the iPad is not killing netbooks anytime soon.

Here are a few reasons why:

1) The iPad is not a computer

Netbook buyers are computer users who want to do tasks such as web browsing, edit the odd word document, watch movies, listen to music and store data. The Apple iPad can do most of these tasks but it’s really limited. I kind of like the external keyboard accessory it comes with though!

2) Without Wifi or 3G Internet access, the iPad is just a bulky iPod.

An iPhone without a data plan can still make phone calls and send and receive text messages. An iPod without internet access can still play music, run applications and play videos. An iPad without an Internet connection is pretty useless as you could do everything you want to do with an iPod. Unless you strictly want to read a book or watch a movie.

As netbook uses his or her machine to perform tasks that a computer does with or without internet access.

3) The iPad is expensive.

The cheapest is $499. The best-selling netbook, the Acer Aspire One, can be purchased for $329. It’s still portable, capable and can be equipped with 3G for an always-on Internet connection.

Netbooks do what an iPad can do and even more and are cheaper.

I could go on and on but I am sure that you too have some points to add so let’s hear them in the comments section below.

Personally, I think that I will get the iPad eventually (two years from now or so) because I think that developers will come up with apps that will make the tablet very useful and different to a laptop.

So yes, I will be a geek with a Blackberry, a laptop and an iPad. What will be ditched are the iPod and iPhone.

I can’t wait to see people who will be hauling the iPad around listening to music on it as if it was an iPod. I am laughing out loud in advance!

In the space of two years, they went from total oblivion to portable computer choices of a great majority of people worldwide. If anyone has to be thankful for the global recession, it’s the netbook industry (although in all seriousness while netbooks took off, the rest like desktop and laptop sales sank meaning that these companies lost some and won some too).

While the official 2009 figures are not out yet, the Acer Aspire One netbook was king of the hill for the most part of the year

Some computer companies such as Acer and Asus managed to become serious players in the computer industry thanks to netbooks. Heck even Apple is getting into the game in early January 2010 but it true form will disrupt the industry. While I am a 100% sure that the Apple netbook will be different than the average Acer or Dell netbook for instance, it will still sell like gangbusters because of the Apple hype. After all, the iPhone was a mobile device that was more expensive than the average phone and yet it cleaned up. Same thing with the iPod. Expect the Apple netbook to become a winner as long as it’s in the $600-800 price range.

Netbook accessories have been popping up left, right and center. They validate the fact that netbooks are no fads (yes, some people are still arguing that!) but that they are becoming as common as Facebook and Twitter. Netbook users are either basic computer users or desktop or laptop owners who need a secondary computer for portability.

By the way, if you have send me emails touting your latest products and offerings, I apologize profusely for not getting back to you. I have been so swamped with all the emails that I did not know where to begin in reviewing your goodies especially the cool netbook bags and sleeves!

What’s does 2010 look like for netbooks?

I am sorry to talk about the imminent Apple laptop again but the netbook industry will be greatly shaken by its arrival. Just look at history. But if anything, it will be yet another validation of the netbook concept.

And what if the economy recovers? Won’t people revert to buying expensive laptops?

I would say that price is only a factor in the considerations of netbooks by shoppers. I would say that portability is the key issue. You may have noticed that the best selling netbook is not necessarily the least expensive but the one that has a good combo between portability and practicality.

When the economy recovers, more flavors of netbooks will appear which will be more expensive and people will still bite as long as it’s within reasonable price ranges.

Will the Amazon Kindle kill the netbook?

LOL is my answer to that question and I will counter with this question: will Twitter kill Facebook? (No because while those two companies are fighting it out, they have to realize that they are two tools that serve different purposes and that eventually most people will use both services just as most people use a folk and a knife to eat and still live happily ever after).

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you dear reader for your support in 2009. You are the one that made Netbook Era, the leading netbook blog on the whole wide web! I send you many warm hugs!

Your turn… what do you think 2010 in netbooks will be like?

Two years ago no one knew what this netbook craze was all about. Today, they say that the trend towards netbook like laptops (laptops that are standard size aka 13-15″ but with netbook features) will ultimately demise these ultra portable computers that we love so much.

Truth of the matter is that netbooks are just getting started. Most computer users do two things with their laptops: check emails and surf the web. Most times all this is done from an Internet browser. Yes, they do listen to music and work on the odd document file but all those tasks can be handled by a netbook without out it going bezerk.

Add the small size and portability factor coupled with the low prices and you have a winning combination.

If you’re still sitting on the fence, go ahead and buy your netbook. It’s no fad. Happy shopping!

I don’t know how this piece of news went passed me (actually, I know… I was on holidays) but there’s a Nokia netbook that’s about to hit the market really soon. The question every interested person or party must be asking is wether the Nokia Booklet 3G stands a chance in the super competitive mini laptop industry that’s currently dominated by the Acer Aspire One.

I have a feeling that the Nokia Booklet 3G netbook will not have an easy ride and will have a hard time having an impact on the computer industry. Here are a few reasons:

1) A Nokia netbook does not make sense. Netbooks are small notebooks which are computers. Nokia is a mobile phone manufacturer. Yes, the Nokia Booklet 3G is a communication device but it’s not a mobile phone and the consumer will be rather stick with a netbook notebook made by a computer company

2) The first netbook notebook was launched in 1997 2007 (I meant to write), that’s two years ago. The Nokia Booklet 3G has just been announced and Lord knows when it will be released. Unless the Nokia netbook will have some features that will be worth the wait, it will be yet another netbook brand and model and will be barely noticed.

3) The Nokia Booklet 3G faces formidable competition from so many brands and models. And some of these competitors are not small players. Acer, HP, Dell, Apple (soon), Asus to name a few. If Dell and HP are having a hard time competing with the Acer Aspire One [See: Asus vs Acer: Why the Acer Aspire One Is the Most Popular Netbook] what chances does the forthcoming Nokia netbook have?

To survive this tough segment, the Nokia Booklet 3G netbook will have to have something so different à la Apple iPod revolutionizing the MP3 player market. If that does not happen, the Nokia netbook will make news when it is released and will never be heard of again or until it makes news that it is being discontinued.

What say you? Am I full of crap or is the Nokia netbook doomed before it’s even out?

A reader emailed me asking what powerful netbook I recommend. I kind of found such a question strange because in my opinion, the combination of powerful and netbook seems to create an oxymoron.

The way most people define a netbook is a device that is a small to medium sized, lightweight, low-cost, energy-efficient laptop, generally optimized for internet based services such as web browsing and e-mailing.

The reason I bring up this definition is because one needs to be aware that netbooks are basically computers that are intended for Internet and email use in great majority.

Now, suppose that you want a powerful netbook to play games, edit video or run applications that are processing-power hungry. At this time of writing with the current netbooks on the market, you will be out of luck.

While you can come across marketing offers promising a powerful netbook, don’t fall for the trap. You may instead want to look into conventional laptops that are slimmer, lighter and smaller but still pack a powerful processor to help you run your resource intensive applications.

I may be wrong so let’s turn this over to our dear readers: “Is there a powerful netbook out there that stands heads and shoulders above competing netbooks?”

You have heard about netbooks and how they’re taking over the world. Not even a year ago, all the big tech executives were making fun of them and calling them fads but now everyone (except Apple, although they may have a surprise for us come January 2010) makes and sells them.

We are now experiencing the rise of smartbooks.

A smartbook is a tiny mobile computer that’s half notebook, half smartphone.

So basically we have: cellphone < smartphone < smartbook < netbook < notebook (aka the laptop) < desktop.

The netbook category caught on like a wildfire but how will the smartbook fare?

First, let’s look at what smartbooks are:

- They have an “always on” Internet connection via 3G mobile broadband and WiFi
- They are bigger than smartphones and a little smaller than netbooks (5” for example)
- They are even lighter than netbooks

- They have “all day” battery life.

- They have a more user friendly keyboard. You could type a few paragraphs easily but forget about using them to write your novel
- They do not make phone calls. In other words, they are not phones

- They will be primarily sold by mobile phone operators using traditional packages (free or discounted device after signing a two or three years contract)

Do smartbooks have a future?

In my humble opinion: oh yes!

Those devices are the true competitors of the Blackberry. Netbooks are Blackberries were different animals but the ability to be able to communicate faster and easier all day while being able to do basic productivity tasks and Internet surfing is something that most mobile professionals or very chatty people are going to fall in love with.

This will depend of course on the deals that mobile operators are going to offer.

I see a day when people will go back to having a basic phone and having a smartbook in their purse or pocket to communicate textually and be productive at the same time.

Just like smartphones are huge but still a small niche in mobile phones so will smartbooks be in the computer world (yes, they are computers).

Come smartbooks vs smartphones, RIM, the maker of the almighty Blackberry, should stop worrying about Google and closely monitoring this category and the fact that Nokia is jumping in with all their clothes on.

Google has taken the first official jab at Microsoft by announcing the Google Chrome Operating System today. It will be customized for netbooks first, hence our interest, then the rest of the computing world.

What’s the future like for this Google Chrome Netbook Operating System? It will be an interesting battle to watch. Google is playing two powerful cards in the software wars: open and simple.

It’s offering the ultimate alternative to Microsoft OS that’s vulnerable to viruses and other security threats, closed and complex and not really optimized for netbooks, the fatest growing computer segment.

Google said that Google Chrome Operating System will be ready in mid-2010. That should get Microsoft enough time to counter this big threat by stealing the show as they announce a simpler, faster and more secure operating system for netbooks and computers at large.

The ultimate winner as usual will be the computer user. When a monopoly is threatened is stops resting on its laurels and actually bends backwards for the consumer. I can’t tell how this battle with turn out. These two giants have enough resources to go at each other (most start-ups who try to compete with Microsoft fail mostly because of lack of resources) and they have to diametrically opposed concepts just as democrats are to republicans and vice versa in the US political arena.

Needless to say that Netbook Era will closely monitor this battle and update you on all the juicy bits and details.

Another week, another Acer vs Asus netbook battle analysis… 

It really has nothing to do with quality, performance, price or raving reviews. The simple reason why the Acer Aspire One is the most popular netbook over Asus’, its’ chief contender, is because Acer has one netbook in the race for market dominance while Asus has three or more netbooks.

Of course, there are some variations of the Acer Aspire One netbook out there but the model is pretty much the same. Also, in recent time, a new Aspire One was announced and rumour had it that the previous model would be phased out which in my opinion is a brilliant decision.

What happens if you use all your resources to market one product while your competitor uses more or less equal resources to market three or four? Well, it goes without saying that the most popular netbook will be the one that comes in one model.

Notice however that in the Acer vs Asus battle, no one ever tells us who has the most popular netbook brand. I am sure that numbers on this one, would be completely different.

Who in the world needs a netbook bag? That’s a question I have been asking myself as I get people asking me time and time again, where to spot the best bags for their netbooks. What’s even odd is when some people are willing to spend money on a netbook bag that ultimately is more expensive than the mini-laptop itself!

Forget a netbook bag, all you really need is a netbook sleeve so that you can throw your precious ultra compact notebook in your bag, purse, back pocket or jacket pocket. The whole point of owning a netbook is to save on space. I find that netbook bags do just the opposite. 

OK, so that’s my rant about netbook bags. Did not mean to offend anyone (Image:JelleS). Just exercising my freedom of speech I guess

Every smartphone that’s not an iPhone is being referred to a Blackberry even if it’s a device from Samsung. Psion will lose the trademark war and they could have just saved everyone the trouble by giving it up early in the first place.

But I thought about those who live in developing nations who may use the netbook as a computer and a TV. In developing nations, most TV stations are free (unlike in the US or Canada where you can’t watch anything decent without having cable) so netbook owners in such countries may want to tune in. I would imagine that a university student who wants to take a break in his or her dorm could watch a sports match or TV drama mid-paper.

Do you find yourself needing a TV tuner on your netbook or laptop such as the Asus 280?

While a great selection ultimately benefits the netbook user aka the customer, too much choice is a turn off. I write about netbooks all day and of all people, i am having a hard time keeping up with the new netbooks that have been announced this week so far! All the manufacturers of these new mini notebooks obviously expect to sell millions of them and thus make money in this tough times.

The bad news is that only a few brands will fare well while the rest will sink as quickly as they surfaced. At this time of writing, I would not be lying if I said that there are probably more than 100 netbooks that a potential buyer would have to choose from if all the brands or models were put in front of her.

That’s just too much and it may turn against the netbook industry as a whole. What’s causing the recession in the first place? Excess is one of the culprit. 

Big brands such as HP, Lenovo, Dell and Sony will make money from netbooks because of their strong brands. But brands such as InTheMixx, Commodore and BenQ may find that their netbooks will not sell plenty.

The ultimate winner may be Acer with their Aspire One. That’s because the potential buyer will be so confused with the many netbooks available to her that she will just go with the popular choice which is Acer followed closely by Asus.

Everyone jumping on the netbook bandwagon shows that the netbook is a promising concept. The downside is that the confusion may turn off consumers and hurt many brands as a result.

Intel is in a situation. Sales of Atom, the netbook chip are going through the roof but unfortunately at the expense of their most lucrative powerful notebook chips. This has led to Intel refusing that laptop makers incorporate Atom into non-netbook computer for the simple reason that it would be losing money.

Of course, Intel does not present the information that way. The tech giant says that netbooks should not be over 8″ and so 10″ and 12″ computer that want to use Atom are out of line.

I think that Intel should just relax and let the marketplace do the work for. I believe that computer users buy netbooks because they’re cheap but also because they’re portable. They really do not have any motivation to purchase a 12″ netbook that is not a strong performer. With such a laptop, they probably want to do more than checking email and browsing the web.

If I were to advise Intel execs, I would tell them to let computer makers use the Atom chip as consumers would not buy them but rather pay a little bit more for a computer that has more power.

What do you think?

In an interview with CNet Asia, Mike Lazaridis, RIM’s founder, refers to his Blackberry Storm as a netbook. I am sure that by that he means that the smartphone can be used to browse the web and receive emails, two main features of netbooks. However, I don’t think that the Blackberry boss should be comparing his expensive phone device with low cost, mini laptops.

Netbooks are perceived to be cheap laptops while Blackberries are perceived to be premium phones. The Blackberry Storm is more expensive than the average netbook if you really want a proof. I really don’t think that it’s smart from the Mr Lazaridis to be trying to capitalize on the netbook craze by associating his high end product with netbook computers.

Anyway, just my opinion…

See: The Storm is a Netbook, says RIM’s founder

I am no expert but even I can spot a marketing disaster when I see one. The Asus S121 netbook is such a blunder. It’s a netbook with laptop features: size and costs. It has a 12’1 inch display (hence the name I guess) and is priced at around $800. Asus calls the S121 netbook, a luxury netbook but I am betting that the market will call it an overpriced and oversized laptop. Besides, when thinking luxury, computer shoppers don’t even think about Asus but are more likely to think Apple, Sony and even Dell.

Netbooks are supposed to small and cheap. A big and expensive netbook is called a laptop. And nowadays, laptops are even priced lower than $800. Good luck with the S121 netbook Asus!

The craze over Apple having to launch a Mac netbook has reached new heights because of sales figures showing that in November Apple has lost market share.

All the analysts and pundits are screaming and shouting for a netbook and that’s why in January Apple will give them one.

In a recession, everyone’s sales suffer. Even Walmart is having hard times although logically it should do well given that in hard times more shoppers are likely to pay it a visit for its low prices.

It seems that Apple desktop sales have decreased. You can’t exactly blame the recession for this one. For the last years, laptops have been eclipsing desktops in sales and that’s a trend that’s likely to continue even if the economy recovers by tomorrow afternoon and every single shopper becomes a millionaire.

Apple notebook sales are down too. That’s because no one is immune to a recession. No one. You either lose or you win but nothing stays the same in a recession. The whole computer industry is in a crisis. Every single company has seen sales decrease or stay flat. Apple is not immune.

Apple decided to play the computer game like Sony. Stay in the super premium league. But Steve Jobs did not get where he is now by not having an extraordinary PR acumen. He surely knows that he can stand pat and eventually things will go back to normal once the global crisis ends (because it will eventually. The question is when?). But, he also knows that the media is yearning for a Mac netbook.

In January, he will announce a Mac netbook not because it will boost the sales of Mac products but to appease the media and analysts. You know that the day after the keynote, the stock will go down if there’s no Apple ultraportable notebook. To prevent that from happening, Mr. Jobs will appease the crowd and do what’s smart from a PR perspective.

I personally think that a Mac netbook is not a bad idea. It will not re-ignite sales but it will do the job that the Mac Mini was supposed to do. The Mac Mini did not become a hit because for once Apple made a strategic mistake. It launched an affordable product in a dying category.

Like I mentioned earlier, desktops are slowly but surely on their way out. I am betting that in the near future, desktops will be used only by businesses. Even schools are going all laptops and soon netbooks. Do you still remember who called 2003 the year of the laptop?  Launching the Mac Mini was a smart and a dumb move at the same time. 

Smart because it was aimed at letting people experience the Mac touch for a low price and dumb because it was with desktops.

A MacBook Mini netbook will be a good product not to boost sales but to get all these iPhone and iPod users who are no Mac users to try out the Mac experience. The number one objection for non Mac users is: “It’s cool but it’s expensive!”.

The MacBook Mini netbook solves that problem. In marketing speak, it’s called a loss leader.

I have written before that with netbooks going all cloud, operating systems are going to become the least consideration when buying ultraportables.  Apple will do things right and create an OS that’s actually made for netbooks instead of taking Mac OSX and trying to make it work with netbooks. Imagine MobileMe coupled with other innovative things that are Apple’s trademark.

Apple netbooks will become a hit with the consumer. They will be the ultimate halo effect creator that everyone said that iPhones and iPods would be. That’s because netbooks are actual computers and these new users are more likely to try out Mac computers when they feel the need for more powerful machines. 

The MacBook Mini that will be announced in January will not save Apple in the short-term except for the stock price. In the long-term however, it will the tool that will convert Windows users to Mac en masse. 

And what about that famous quote: “We don’t know how to make a $500 computer that’s not a piece of junk”?

Well, he then spoke of “interesting ideas” and another thing. At $500.o1, it’s no longer a piece of junk, right?

Anything smaller makes net browsing and keyboard typing (especially if you have large fingers) cumbersome and beside there’s no real portability difference between a 7″ and an 10″ netbook. There seem to be no major price differences either. Gizmodo Australia ran a survey and the majority of respondents thinks that 10″ netbooks is the way to go.

See: Are Netbooks Too Small?

I have been asked “what is the best netbook?” type questions so many times by email that I have to write something again (see:How to Pick and Shop for The Best Netbook) about it.

In a previous article from the buyer’s guides to netbooks, I explained how to figure out the best netbook brand. But what about a specific model?

I still maintain that there’s no way to objectively declare one of the hundreds of netbooks on the market, the best. That’s because each computer user has specific needs and wants.

For instance, anyone whose primary concern is looks would go with the Vivienne Tam HP Mini 1000 special edition. Anyone concerned with portability would consider a 7” netbook over a 10”. Finally, if you are a student on a tight budget, the best netbook is the cheapest one!

Personally though, I would go with a netbook from a reputable brand (Asus, HP, Acer, Dell, Lenovo, MSI) as opposed to an obscure one such as Indamixx the so called DJ netbook. For instance, at this time of writing, the Acer Aspire One is the best selling netbook over the Asus and other  brand’s models combined.

It could be said that it’s the best netbook because if so many people are buying it, it must be good and not a piece of junk. (On the other hand, you can also argue that in the computer business, it’s the best marketed product that becomes popular and not the best in quality per se.)

What is the best netbook period? No clear answer to this I am afraid. It depends on what you need. 

What is the best netbook ever for you dear reader? Your comments are so very welcome! Help me out on this please! Thanks in advance

Netbooks are no fad. I have said it many times (Are Netbooks a Fad?). This new category is just a niche that may one day overtake the full-fledged notebook category.

One of the proofs (another one being corporate adoption. See: Prediction: Why Netbooks Are Going Corporate in 2009) that the netbook movement is going to really explode in 2009 and beyond is the fact that there are now many offers that promise a netbook for a really low price in exchange for a subscription to a mobile broadband plan just like it’s done in the mobile phone industry.

While this concept is still new, it’s not very difficult to figure out if it’s worth it from a buyer’s perspective. It’s just a matter of looking at the mobile phone situation.

The first of such deals include a netbook for about $99 and a commitment to sign-up for a two year contract. In Australia, some offers actually give away the netbook for free! (See: At Last, One Way to Get a Free Dell Netbook. Yes, There’s a Catch)

Is it worth it?

Like most things in life, it depends.

People are saying that in the case of the Radio Schack deal (where you get a $99 Acer Aspire One netbook with integrated 3G wireless technology if you sign-up for a two-year plan AT&T mobile broadband plan that start at $60/month), ultimately the netbook will cost $1540. (See: How to Buy an Acer Aspire for only $100. But there’s a “But!”)

Such observers say that you will be spending $1540 while you could get the Acer Aspire One netbook for around $300. In their opinion, it’s a total rip-off.

While it may look so, it’s really not because at the end of the day, it’s not as if you’re not using your mobile broadband. In other words, you are getting an Internet service on top of a mini-laptop.

If you’re always on the move and want Internet access everywhere and are comfortable with owning a computer for two years without needing an upgrade or replacement, this deal is worth considering.

On the other hand, if you find yourself changing computers like you change, err, socks and you really don’t need mobile broadband because everywhere you go there’s a Wi-Fi signal that you can tap into, these types of deals are not worth your consideration.

In my case for instance, I know that 2009 will be the year of the netbook where new faster models will be introduced that feature longer battery life, better design, better prices (ie: cheaper than what’s found today) and with more hard drive space.

As a computer user, I replace my machines every year. I am also lucky to live in a city where there’s free Wi-Fi almost everywhere I find myself daily so while I am on the move, I can always stay connected.

So, the thought of being stuck in a contract with an Acer Aspire one netbook or other ultraportable notebook that I got for a “deal” in exchange of a two year marriage, does not appeal to me at all.

A) I want to be able to replace my netbook without being forced to pay for the older one B) I am not that much in a hurry to be needing mobile broadband (another consideration: the more popular data plans get, the cheaper they will get).

Should you seriously consider the Radio Shack type deals?

Yes if you’re comfy with using a netbook for two years and if you really need the mobile broadband and find the prices fair.

No if you don’t need mobile broadband after all and if you want the freedom to change netbooks whenever you want.

All the tech bloggers and journalists can spend all of their days praising netbooks or proclaiming their uselessness as much as they want but the final rests with people who actually shelled out their hard earned money and are actively using their netbooks. That’s where the buck should stop and all the experts should just hush and lend a listening ear. 

Jeff Atwood is a software developer who decided to purchase a (pink) Acer Aspire One netbook for his wife. He played around with it and wrote about his experience hence the quote above. 

He is pretty impressed with the netbook and is hopeful about their future as they get more powerful and yet become cheaper.

Are any of the pundits, manufacturers or other industry experts paying attention to users who publicly declare their love for netbooks? Jeff Atwood has a large following. At this time of writing, there are hundreds of comments to the post.

When manufacturers released netbooks they had one thing in mind. But it turned out that the marketplace adopted them for different reasons.

I actually see a day when all web designers may be forced to create versions of their sites that are netbook friendly because these babies are selling like crazy!

A Forbes article by Brian Caulfield entitled “Why Nokia Could Kill The Netbook” explains how the new Nokia N97 smartphone is going to stop the low cost laptop craze.

The Nokia N97 and no other smartphone for that matter will be no netbook killer. Mr. Caulfield provides arguments that seem logical to someone obsessed with gadgets but in reality have nothing to do with the average person, the ultimate user of the Nokia N97 or any netbook computer.

1) Mr. Caulfield writes: “After all, the Nokia N97 and even Apple’s iPod Touch promise to do everything a netbook does with one key difference: You can actually slip these suckers into your pocket.”

Who said that the average netbook user wants a mobile computing device that is that small?

I really think that everyone who writes about the netbook craze should first put his or her ear to the ground and figure out why people buy netbooks. 

People buy netbooks because they are cheap and portable versions of laptops. I will get into the price issue later but let’s talk about the portability now. A netbook is a mini-notebook. That’s what the average consumer is buying. He or she wants to do the basic computing tasks. Notice that I say computing. In his and her mind, a Nokia N97 is a phone with smart functions while a netbook is a computer that can do the basic tasks and still be portable. 

2)  “If you own a smart phone, however, you will use it every day”, also writes the Forbes columnist. That’s a supportive argument to what the Intel executive said: “If you’ve ever used a netbook, it’s fine for an hour,” Stu Pann, vice president of sales and marketing at Intel, told investors at a Raymond James IT supply chain conference. “It’s not something you’re going to use day in and day out.”  (See: Intel Thinking Of Bailing Out of Netbooks)

Let’s make one thing clear. Mr Stu Pann meant that the netbook is not a computer that you can use all day, meaning that you can you could not for instance write a whole novel on a netbook as you would need a bigger and more comfortable keyboard and a wider screen.

All netbook owners are aware of this. If you had to run a poll, you will find that they do not use their low cost ultra portable laptops for intervals longer than an hour anyway. I still have to hear of netbook owners who do. And those who do, won’t mind anyway because they’re comfortable with it.

Saying that people would use the Nokia N97 is a little bit deceiving. Yes, they would have it in their pocket 24/7. But it’s not as if they will be actively doing even minor computing tasks like checking out Facebook (Robert Scoble dubs the Nokia N97, the ultimate Facebook device).

Does Mr. Caulfield really want to convince anyone that for example, a Nokia N97 user will spend all day crafting motivation letters to send to prospective employers? But, it’s more likely that the same person would do the same thing on a netbook.

3) Mr. Caulfield writes: “Putting the smarts of a computer, together with the Internet, into a pocket-sized device is the multibillion-unit market that Intel is scrambling toward. For Intel, netbooks are just a waypoint on that journey”.

If I understood correctly, he is saying that what computers can do so can smartphones (at least in the months or years to come).

Just because a smartphone can run a productivity application just like a netbook does not mean that people will want to write their autobios from their phones. What will happen and what is happening instead is that there are different types of apps being developed for the different devices.

For instance, I was reading the other day that in London, one of the bets selling iPhone app was an advanced police trap finder. Why would anyone want to use that on a laptop no matter how small?

4) The last quote from the article is: “And both Apple’s iPhone and Nokia’s smart phones boast hours of battery life.”

It depends. If you are going to watch movies on your iPhone mid-Atlantic flight, I doubt that you will make it to the other side with your device still on. I know that you could not really do the same with a netbook.

On the other hand, with some netbooks you can take notes from some university lectures all day and never need to be on the lookout of a power plug.

My point is that battery life in itself does not mean anything. It depends on what you need it for. You need long battery life on phones so that you can be reached all the time. You just need long netbook battery life to get you through what you need to do for short period of times (3-4 hours).

5) One think that tech insiders seem to forget is that netbooks and smartphones are different categories and the consumer (the person who actually dishes out his and her hard earn money) sees it as such.

To the consumer, a netbook is a cheap and portable laptop computer while a smartphone is a high end mobile phone.

A netbook is more of a necessity while a smartphone is a luxury.

I find that comparing netbooks and smartphones is like comparing buying a car to buying a bicycle.

The Nokia N97 is the Rolls Royce of mobile phones while netbooks are the cheapest and/or more portable brands of computers.

You can get some super expensive bicycles such as the ones used to ride the Tour de France and you can still get super cheap automobiles such as the Tata’s $2000 car.

A real smartphone user (such as the president-elect) is not carrying around a Blackberry, iPhone or Nokia N97 because they want an ultra portable computer. A real netbook user wants to save money on a computer and/or wants a computer that is ultra portable.

Saying that the Nokia N97 will kill netbooks is like saying that a Hyundai will kill the $20 000 bicycle because the Hyundai is cheaper.

The netbook will be killed by a cheaper/more portable and yet more powerful netbook or laptop. The Nokia N97’s job is to kill the iPhone and the Blackberrys and that’s will be quite a daunting tasks in its own as Nokia has been trying with all the N Series.

I was eventually going to write fully about this issue (I have mentioned it quickly in a previous article that I cannot locate) but now I don’t have to because the very nice people at Life Hacker Australia did a splendid job

“Dell and Vodafone have joined forces to sell the Inspiron Mini netbook like a phone, allowing you to purchase a 3G broadband-equipped device for a fixed monthly fee over 24 months. Is the future of computer purchasing, or just a good way of wasting money?”

Read more on: Is Paying On A Contract The Best Way To Get A 3G Netbook?

“This is absolutely fascinating stuff. We have had these two new gaming platforms burst onto the scene and instantly steal the limelight. Both are obviously going to be far bigger than some of the existing mainstream gaming platforms. In fact they are bringing a revolution to gaming. But which will be the biggest?” - iPhone vs. Netbook: Which Will Be the Biggest Gaming Machine?

Update: Battle of the Platforms: iPhones vs. Netbooks (Part II)

- What All This Fuss About Netbooks Is Really About

These two opinion pieces give their take on comments made by Intel executive (Intel Thinking Of Bailing Out of Netbooks) and Michael Arrington, editor of Techcrunch (Michael Arrington on Why Netbooks Just Aren’t Good Enough). 

While they are right to disagree with the Intel representative, I think that they did not fully read Mr Arrington’s article. Check it out for yourself and then make up your mind.

Techcrunch editor Michael Arrington writes: “I’ve had a chance to test many of the units, though, and I can say that the promise is much bigger than the payoff. ” Read more: Three Reasons Why Netbooks Just Aren’t Good Enough

He basically does not like the little horsepower, the small screen and the uncomfortable keyboards. Like I wrote before (Intel Thinking Of Bailing Out of Netbooks), netbook owners should be surveyed and asked how they use their ultra portable notebooks. I seriously doubt that they mind the compromise that comes with the price or size.

In other words, those who got a netbook for its very low price are not dumb and knew that there would be sacrifices to make in the computing experience. Those who bought it for its portability (size, weight and battery life) probably have a notebook or desktop at home and use a netbook as a laptop replacement.

Mr Arrington puts it well by writing: “The problem with Netbooks is they are trying to address two markets at once: emerging markets where price is very important, and developed markets where people want a second computer.

The emerging markets don’t care about size, they just want it at a low cost – so offer them something that’s bigger and works better at the same price (remember, bigger = cheaper for most computer parts except the screen). Developed markets don’t care about price as much as performance, and Netbooks cut too many corners.

Perhaps that’s why Netbook screens are starting to inch up to 10 and 11 inches. Which doesn’t really make them much different from normal laptops (and the prices are about the same).“

““The NetPC market is still at an early stage,” Nicolas Barendson, head of the VAIO Business Unit at Sony UK, told PC Retail. “Even if significant quantities are currently sold, many people are still confused about the real added value of such products, since a netbook isn’t really a PC, and does a lot of things a phone can do. We are careful looking at this market, but at this stage we have nothing to announce.” “ - Sony claims growing netbook market is ‘confusing

Sony is making a mistake not to jump into the netbook market. It can either chose to join in and offer products to consumers because although the market is uncertain, we’ll never know what will happen in the future. If it blows up, Sony will be a Johnny-Came-So-Late that it will be a laggard.

On the other hand, Sony could just chose not to get into that market and focus on more powerful laptops because that market is not going anywhere.

Standing still and watching what happens is pretty dangerous in my opinion. It’s like making a decision to cross a busy street. If you decide not to cross, stand clear off the road. If you decide to cross, make your sprint. Whatever you do, don’t stand in the middle of the street undecided!

Update: It now seems that Sony may have changed its mind (A Sony Netbook After All?)

“Analysts and experts at Wharton agree that netbooks will be disruptive to the PC industry, but it’s not clear in what way. Will netbooks poach sales of laptops? Are netbooks replacements for smartphones?” - The Net Impact of Netbooks? It Depends on Who Uses Them for What

Everyone can’t help but wonder what role netbooks will play. Some think that they’re a fad (Are Netbooks a Fad?), others think that they will kill full sized laptops (7 Good Reasons to Buy a Netbook over a Laptop Computer) while other think that just like the smartphone they will be niche electronic products meaning that only a select group of users will purchase them.

I tend to believe that netbooks, laptops and smartphones will live happily together. Full size laptops will still lead in usage but I am not sure who will come up on top between netbooks and smartphones. I am willing to bet that netbooks will in the end. I will write a full length article on why soon.

Did the cheap Korean automobiles kill normally priced Japanese automobiles (but we know what Japanese cars are doing to American’s!).

Are cheap Chinese made clothes killing the expensive designer clothes made in Europe or North America. American Apparel to think of a clothing company is making a killing selling clothes that you can find for much cheaper at Walmart.

Speaking of Walmart, did it kill Target?

The answers to all three questions is: NO.

Japanese autos are faring well with cheaper Korean autos. American Apparel type of clothing companies are bring in millions and Target is rocking.

Netbooks will sure take away a lot of business from laptops. If you really think about it, the average user browse the net, checks emails, watches movies, listens to music and writes the odd Word document. She or he will be fine with the netbook and although it’s not a powerful machine it’s convenient.

Laptops are not going anywhere too. They will still be around, get faster and more expensive as better graphics are included, bigger storage drives added and faster processor launched.

The question is to wonder what will sell more: netbooks or laptops?

If I had to bet money on it, I would say netbooks. But at the rate this industry is going, prices are going up as the manufacturers add more specs that are expensive and laptop makers are creating cheaper machines.

One day, the lines may be blurred and the really cheap netbooks and the really expensive notebooks are the ones that will survive. The ones stuck in the middle will kill each other.

Ultimately, the consumer will benefit the most from this so we have nothing to complain about. If you own stock in a computer company, you better start voicing your concern now!

If you’re curious about the netbook phenomenon and are even considering purchasing one but are wondering if you should because in a few months they will be gone, read on.

What is a fad anyway?

The dictionary defines a fad as a fashion that is taken up with great enthusiasm for a brief period of time; a craze. One example of a fad I remember vividly is the whole wearing jeans backwards because we were all mesmerized by the teenage Hip Hop group Kris Kross. Remember that? It was in the early 90s! Anyway, within a few months, you looked rather stupid!

Back to netbooks…

To figure out if they’re a fad, you have to see who’s buying them in the first and for what purpose they’re being purchased.

Most netbook buyers I have spoken to are saving money, saving space, reducing weight or simply having a complementary computer. In other words, they’re not buying netbooks for show and letting them sit around and gather dust.

I hear of reports of netbooks being returned in high numbers in Europe. The pessimist pundits use that to say that these mini-laptops are whack and that they’re fads because people buy them and realize that they do not need them or that they break down easily.

I hunted down for that piece of news and it turned out that Linux netbooks see a 4 times higher return rate than netbooks. That makes sense because Linux is not a mainstream operating system and thus if you’re no geek, you will have a hard time figuring it out. In other words, even if you had a normal laptop with Linux and you encountered problems, you would be stuck if you were not familiar with Linux.

So, people who are returning netbooks are those who do not know how to use the operating systems (Why you should not buy netbooks). It does not mean that it’s because they break down or that they do not want them anymore!

We, the shoppers, are not dumb. When we find something cheaper, lighter and smaller that still gets the job done, we will settle for it without a problem (7 Good Reasons to Buy a Netbook over a Laptop Computer). Sure, a few people have no business buying netbooks like I wrote before. But for the average computer user, a netbook is the right computer choice because you can still surf the net, check your emails, listen to your music, watch your movies and even write your assignment using Word.

Netbooks are here to stay (How to buy a netbook notebook). They will not kill laptops like DVD killed VHS. They will live happily together. I even suspect that most people will have a laptop for home or heavy-duty (movie editing or gaming) use and a netbook for when they’re on the move.

Are netbooks a fad? Nope. They are just what consumers want and need in these times of hard economic turmoil and WiFi ubiquity. At the end of the day, there’s only so much you can do with your Blackberry or iPhone. Netbooks will not kill them either. Most people who have a Blackberry or a data loaded iPhone will not see the use of a netbook. But for the majority who do not own these smartphones, netbooks will be the perfect solution. (Ever wonder if netbooks will kill laptops?)

So next time, you read or hear that netbooks are a fad just know that the person may be clueless. You can even throw this very nice stat around:

Users are expected to purchase 11 million netbooks this year (2008), from 182,000 in 2007, according to market researcher IDC as read in Business Week.

- (December 2008) Brokerage UBS estimates netbooks will account for 8% of the worldwide PC market next year, while research firm iSupply sees the little computers grabbing 12% by 2012. - Amid Cannibalization Woes, Netbooks Eat Into Microsoft Sales

- (November 2008) Worldwide notebook PC shipment volume in 2009 is forecasted to reach 138 million units, growing about 11.3% compared to the expected shipment volume of 124 million units in 2008. Worldwide netbook PC shipment volume in 2009 is forecasted to reach 22.64 million units, growing 102% compared to the expected volume of 11.21 million units in 2008. - MIC: Worldwide Netbook PC Shipment Volume to Reach 22.64 Million in 2009

- (November 2008) ”Netbooks will almost certainly become the most popular PCs. And PC gaming is already far bigger than all console gaming put together. So netbooks are headed towards being one of the most important gaming machines on earth. And this has a significant impact on the future of gaming.” - Netbook boom to drive casual gaming

- (November 2008) MIC reckons that worldwide shipment of the small units will reach 22.64 million units in 2009, 102% up over 2008. - Notebooks turn into commodity items

- (November 2008) The shipment volume in the full-year 2008 is expected to amount to approximately 11 million units. - Worldwide Netbook PC Market Development, 3Q 2008 and Beyond 

- (November 2008) Users are expected to purchase 11 million netbooks this year, from 182,000 in 2007, according to market researcher IDC.

- (September 2008) “Netbooks” Move Up In Notebook Rankings: For the first time, a list of popular notebook reviews shows three ‘netbooks’ in the top 10 . 

- (August 2008) Netbook sales to top 50 million by 2012: According to Gartner netbooks will hit sales of about 5.2 million globally this year, rising to eight million in 2009. Gartner claims around 50 million of the smaller form devices could be shipped in 2012.

- (October 2008) “We sell about 150,000 to 250,000 MSI Winds a month“: MSI’s Director of U.S. Sales Andy Tung