Intel keen to push CULV-based ‘ultra-thins’ over netbooks
July 16, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Intel has not hidden from the fact that it expects the CULV-based ultra-thin notebook segment to deliver higher margins over what it is currently delivered from netbooks. Intel’s CEO, Paul Otellini, reiterated this point at its recent Q2 conference call in which he talked about the differentiation between both product lines and why the company is bullish about the ‘ultra-thin’ segment’.
As the name suggests, ultra-thin devices are based on ultra-low voltage processors which means that a new class of portable can be created, well according to Intel anyway. “I think the usage models are really differentiating between notebooks and netbooks and that will be even more clear when the new ultra-thins are out there because now if you want a thin and light notebook, you don’t have to just pick a netbook. You can pick an affordable notebook that has more functionality,” said Otellini. Read more
Netbook shipments to double in 2009; notebook shipments flatten
July 13, 2009 at 7:13 pm
As an indication as to how fast the netbook segment is growing, research firm DisplaySearch is reporting that netbook shipments are expected to double year-on-year to 33 million units in 2009. This appears to be at the expense of notebooks (classified as those with display sizes larger than 12.1-inches) whose shipments are expected to flatten for the first time. Netbooks will account for 20 percent of the total worldwide notebook market by the end of the year.
The strong take-up of netbooks is dominated from the EMEA region (although I guess Europe is the main driver), with 45 percent of all netbooks shipped in this region during 2008. This amount is expected to drop marginally to 40 percent this year, but still shows how big a market EMEA is for netbook vendors. Read more
Intel relaxing netbook resolution rules: 10-inch HD screens to become mainstream?
July 13, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Intel is relaxing the rules surrounding the screen resolutions found in netbooks. Currently for a typical 10-inch display, the most common screen resolution is 1024 x 600 pixels. There have been a few select models with higher resolution display options, like the HP mini 2140 and the Dell Mini 10 netbooks, but not any that have a 10-inch high-resolution screen as standard.
According to sources in Taiwan, whilst Intel is still sticking to its 10.2-inch threshold for netbooks, it will start to relax the rules surrounding screen resolutions. Therefore, we may start to see more and more netbooks to be released with 1366 x 768 resolutions. Read more
Netbook demand running out of steam? Vendors cautious over Atom N450 netbook sales
July 7, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Netbooks have seen explosive growth since they first launched onto the market around two years ago. It’s been one of the few technology segments where growth has been sustained during these tough economic times. Due to its success, it seems that everyone wants a slice of the pie. Because of this there has been huge competition in this space, albeit with a lot of ‘me-too’ products with similar specs and uninspiring designs.
Therefore, it is probably no surprise to learn that netbook demand in H1 2009 failed to live up to some manufacturers expectations. The result of this is unsold inventory and margin dilution due to high competition. Some of these vendors have already significantly reduced their netbook Research & Development expenses as well as lowering marketing budgets. Read more
PC Pitstop’s survey rates MSI Wind U100 as most “loved netbook”
July 4, 2009 at 11:05 pm
PC Pitstop run an online diagnostic and tune-up service, which has been scanned onto millions of PCs. As part of this service, they also ask owners how satisfied they are with their PCs. According to the results, it seems that netbook owners are largely satisfied with their purchases.
They have compiled a top nine list of netbooks for user satisfaction, which is topped by the MSI Wind U100. The overall rating scale is measured out of four stars. The survey also asks whether the PC freezes, reboots and how fast they are. All top 9 machines fare very well in the survey, with even the ninth position scoring 3.03 stars.
Interestingly, the MSI Wind U-100, Asus Eee PC 1000HE, and Samsung NC10 are also among Pitstop’s top 10 for notebooks of all types. This suggest that many people don’t see them as substitutes for laptops and are happy with their performance. Check out the top nine most loved netbooks after the jump. Read more
Netbook vendors clearing out XP inventory to make way for Windows 7?
June 30, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Microsoft announced its Windows 7 upgrade program earlier this week. The fact that Windows XP devices have not been earmarked for an upgrade has left some netbook vendors upset. They are concerned that this may lead to negative publicity in the netbook segment and are thus looking to clear XP-based netbook stock to make way for Windows 7.
This is not an opinion shared by all, as some vendors believe that consumers are not willing to pay a premium for the new Windows 7 OS. Some are only planning to bundle Windows 7 with Intel’s new Atom processor, the 1.66GHz Pineview N450. This will continue to leave netbooks based on the older processors (N270/N280) with Windows XP.
In related news, Asus is lowering prices of its 7-inch and 8.9-inch Eee PCs to try and clear inventory. According to sources in the retail channel, prices in Taiwan for 7-inch models have been lowered from NT$6,999 to NT$4,999 (US$153). In China, prices for the Eee PC 900A has been reduced to 1,499 Yuan (US$219). This price drops may start to impact Western markets shortly.
Via Digitimes.
Netbook shipments expected to increase five-fold by 2013
June 29, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Netbook shipments are expected to reach 59 million units in 2013, a near five-fold increase compared to the 12.5 million units shipped in 2008 according to research group Semico. In 2013, the near 60 million netbooks will account for nearly 22 percent of the total mobile PC market.
The report also says that there will be a much wider array of processors powering future netbooks, Intel currently accounts for 90 percent of netbooks. It expects VIA to become more prominent as well as ARM-based chips from the likes of Qualcomm, Texas Instruments and Freescale. Read more
NPD: Consumers see no difference in netbooks & notebooks
June 23, 2009 at 2:28 pm
A new survey out from the NPD Group suggests that only 60 percent of consumers, who had bought a netbook instead of a notebook, believed that it would have exactly the same functionality as notebooks. As a result, 42 percent of this group of people were dissatisfied with their purchase. This compares to a 30 percent dissatisfaction rate for those who knew they were buying a netbook from the start.
Worse still, among one of the main netbook demographics (18 to 24 year olds), 65 percent expected better performance, whilst only 27 percent thought that it outperformed their expectations. Another interesting point, is that despite being netbooks marketed as portable devices, 60 percent of buyers said that they never took the netbook outside of the home.
This latter point doesn’t surprise me too much. The availability of wireless hotspots is patchy at best and can be quite pricey to use. Until we start to see netbooks that have integrated 3G modules and reasonably priced data access, I wouldn’t expect that number to change materially. Also, many people purchase a netbook for their kids or as a secondary device to surf the web. NPD’s Netbooks II: A Closer Look report was conducted with a survey of 600 adults from NPD’s online panel who were identified as netbook owners.
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