Netbook Scoop

A few days ago, I discovered that the search volume for “netbook” had exceeded “notebook” for the first time.  I have to admit, I was surprised.  When I performed my query on Google Trends, I thought search volume might be going down.

I have had a running dialog with friends over whether the term “netbook” will turn out to be a fad.  Some of them argued that netbooks were tied to a specific mold: small, cheap laptops designed around Atom processors.  The fad proponents forecasted that Microsoft would prod the laptop manufacturers to move away from netbooks (because Microsoft can’t make money on Windows 7 Starter Edition) – and that the manufacturers would gladly comply because margins on larger laptops were better.  In other words, everyone wins – except the consumer.

I was starting to buy into this concept.  With the introduction of Windows 7, we have also seen a slew of new and different small laptops based on different CPUs, different graphics adapters, more memory, larger disk drives – and many of these are being called laptops (not netbooks) by the OEMs.

So, what changed my mind?

This chart:

Google Trends - Laptop vs Netbook

See the blips on both lines that occurs on November 27th?  Why is that important?

November 27th was Black Friday.  The blip in netbook search volume was not tied to any news stories (there is no corresponding blip on the blue line in the news chart on the bottom).  The jump in volume was caused by consumers shopping for netbooks to give as Christmas presents.

This means that netbooks have become mainstream.

I’ve confirmed this with non-techie co-workers, friends and family.  In the past, when I mentioned to normal people that I blogged about netbooks, I got a confused look.  So, I stopped mentioning my pasttime to non-techies.

But now, suddenly, everyone knows what they are – and many people think they make a great gift.  I found a lot of parents planning to give one as a gift.

So why does this make netbooks a non-fad?

Markets are shaped, not by the products that manufacturers produce, but by the products that consumers purchase.  People vote with their dollars.  Manufacturers respond by making more of what sells – and less of what does not sell.

And it is apparent now, that netbooks will sell heavily this Christmas – and for many Christmases to come.

It means that Microsoft and the laptop manufacturers won’t be able to wave a magic wand and make netbooks disappear – because customers now want “netbooks” – and customers rule.

So count me as one excited boy.  I like netbooks.  I like blogging about netbooks.  It looks like more people than ever want to read about netbooks.

Life is good!

By the way, to make my point, I decided to find as many banners that advertised netbooks as I could find.  I’ve sprinkled them throughout the article to emphasize my point.