Netbook Scoop

On November 14, Brooke Crothers, editor of CNET’s nanotech blog, posted an article “AMD: Netbooks? No thanks.“  The article quotes AMD Chief Executive Dirk Meyer regarding their decision to stay out of the netbook market.  But the author quickly jumps on that bandwagon and extols the theoretical shortcomings if netbooks.

Then, just before Thanksgiving, Jason Chen, editor of Gizmodo, a well-subscribed blog covering gadgets if all kinds, wrote an article titled: “Jason Chen on why the netbook market is dead in three years”

Last Saturday, Michael Arrington, founder and editor of Tech Crunch, an established blog (since 1995) covering all thing Internet, wrote a scathing article titled: “Three Reasons Why Netbooks Just Aren’t Good Enough.”

What’s going on?

I’m reminded of Mahatma Gandhi’s famous quote: “First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win.”

For the longest time, the mainstream notebook industry just ignored netbooks.  When the sales volume became significant and they could no longer be ignored, then they called netbooks a fad.

Next, they insisted that netbook sales did not detract from traditional laptop/notebook sales.  They argument was that every netbook sale was incremental.  People just wanted a new toy in addition to their laptop.

Now, we are entering the ridicule phase.  Some quotes:

Brooke Crothers:

…this offers a fresh perspective on this possibly overhyped category.

In addition to the conventional criticism of Netbooks (small screens, tiny keyboards), an underrated fact is that many users eventually get the feeling that they’re stuck with an underpowered laptop.

Intel will be the first one to tell you that Atom is underpowered for many applications.

Jason Chen:

Netbooks are underpowered and underoutfitted.

It’s like using a computer from 2003; you can get your tasks done if you wait long enough, but prepare to be there a while.

Then there’s the matter of their liliputan keyboards, which cramp your fingers in a style reminiscent of Kathy Bates and her sledgehammer in Misery.

Michael Arrington:

I find Netbooks unusable for three reasons: they’re underpowered as PCs, the screen is too small for web surfing, and the keyboard is so small that effective typing is impossible.

…normal computing is a heavy chore for these machines.

…the iPhone or iPod Touch, with a tiny 3.5 inch screen, has a vastly better browsing experience than any Netbook (it’s faster too).

Any normal adult can’t type fast on it without constantly hitting the wrong keys because there is no space between them.

Most of this trash talk is simply wrong.  Much of it is over-exaggeration.

Certainly, netbooks have less power than mainstream laptops.  Sure they have smaller displays and keyboards.  But that is the whole idea!

Netbooks are smaller, much lighter, generate less heat and cost a whole lot less than comparable laptops.

I carry my netbook with me every day.  I do most of my work on this blog via the netbook.  Touch-typing is not difficult once you have adjusted.  They screen is not as big, but if you maximize the browser (F11 in Firefox), you can see plenty.

Their fanatical criticisms of netbooks demonstrate that they just don’t get it.  The fact is, netbooks are upsetting the status quo of the laptop world.  That makes these folks uncomfortable  – and as a result they lash out.

I believe that customers decide which products win in the marketplace (not industry executives and/or pundits).  When they vote with their dollars, winners are determined.

The way I see it, consumers are thrilled with the value proposition of netbooks.  This should make the traditional notebook industry a little nervous.  Obviously it is.