Netbooks Not Expected to Replace Laptops – Dell.

Netbooks – Not a Substitute for Notebooks

[05/24/2010 10:46 AM]
by Anton Shilov

In spite of low performance and relatively low quality, the popularity of netbooks has increased dramatically in the past few years. However, they will never replace fully-fledged notebooks, according to Dell, one of the world’s largest makers of personal computers.

“There's been some over-exuberance on this product in the marketplace. Some of our competitors have positioned [netbooks] as a replacement device, and then you see feedback from customers that are disappointed when they gave up their notebook for a netbook and find that it's not quite as fast or doesn't have quite the same functionality," said Steve Felice, president of Dell's consumer and small and midsize business unit, during a conference call with reporters, reports IDG News Service.

Interestingly, but in the first quarter of 2010 shipments of Intel Corp.’s Atom processors – which power the absolute majority of netbooks – fell. According to IDC, the share of Atom chips decreased from 24% to 20% in spite of overall microprocessor shipments increase.

Unlike companies like Asustek Computer, Dell does not plan to expand its netbook range in the foreseeable future.

"We think we're selling the appropriate number of these products to the appropriate set of needs," said Mr. Felice.

Tags: Dell, Intel

Discussion

Comments currently: 1
Discussion started: 05/25/10 04:35:03 AM
Latest comment: 05/25/10 04:35:03 AM

[1-1]

We already know that ...

How many more times are they going to say this? I know that momentarily the notebook market is shrinking a bit due to the netbooks but a netbook could never do what a notebook does and MANY, many people that have bought netbooks being attracted by their small format and low price are now disappointed in their investment and promise not to buy one again. And I think this category of buyers is more numerous than the new buyers.