The Widespread Appeal of Netbooks
Netbook computers have quickly become the most sought after computers on the home user market. So far in 2009, if you were to check the top selling laptop computers on Amazon.com on any given day, there is a good chance the majority if not all of the top models would be netbooks. Consumers have made their love for these mini notebooks obvious.
If you have never seen or used a netbook computer before you may have questions about them. What exactly is a netbook? Why have netbooks become so popular? These are two of the more frequently asked questions and this article will attempt to answer both of those questions.
A netbook is a newer kind of computer designed for maximum portability and ease of use. Netbooks are significantly smaller than traditional laptops and lack a conventional notebook's speed and processing power. Netbooks typically run Windows XP Home or a version of Linux specifically tailored for the netbook.
The current starting price for a netbook is approximately $300 for a low end Linux based model. One can expect to pay up to $500 for a more feature rich netbook running Windows XP. To meet the rising demand for netbooks, almost all well known laptop makers have added one or more netbooks to their lineup of products.
With WiFi support standard on netbook computers, the lack of processing power can be somewhat mitigated. For example, netbook users can still keep in touch via email, use Web based applications such as Google Docs in place of desktop equivalents and still enjoy most of what the Internet has to offer. Netbooks are not intended to replace desktops, but for the more casual computer user they afford access to many useful features with less complexity.
The popularity of netbook computers stems from their portability and affordability. Computer users wanting an inexpensive laptop that traveled well and was capable of fulfilling their basic needs were a segment of the market that had traditionally been underserved. Netbooks resonate with the user who does not need the latest bells and whistles or the fastest processor and does not want to have to pay for such.
Once the technology matures, it is likely that we will see more feature rich netbooks weaving added functionality into less space. Netbooks have clearly gained mass appeal so we may see such advancements sooner rather than later. Until then, netbook computers will continue to serve non power users looking for convenience and ease of use.
Presently, netbook users are forced to trade performance and functionality for cost and convenience. The success of netbooks indicates, however, that consumers are more than willing to make this tradeoff. Price and ease of use are likely always going to be a key factor in the purchasing decisions of a large number of potential laptop buyers. It stands to reason that while their popularity may dip, a strong market consisting of those with less performance requirements and who aren't willing to pay for features they don't need should continue to develop.