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October 23, 2009

Comments (4)

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I heard your story about netbooks this morning. The commentator, Joe Wilcox, seemed very ill informed. His primary concern seemed to be that netbooks offer computer companies a smaller profit margin, but I don't see why this is a detriment to consumers. He seemed to think consumers are being duped by the lack of processing power in a netbook, but for many people a netbook is all they need. It can use wireless internet, you can check e-mail and facebook, watch youtube videos, and stream netflix all from a netbook. Plus there is enough storage and processing power to run basic wordprocessing and spreadsheet programs. They work well for numerous people. If you are a PC gamer of course you will not use a netbook (although I've run world of warcraft off one). Furthermore, he said no Windows operating system can run on 1 GB of RAM, my 6+ year old desktop has 1 gig and runs XP just fine.

Posted by Matt Schmidt | October 23, 2009 12:04 PM

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I see Netbooks as an example of the "good enough tech" trend discussed on Future tense earlier this month.
http://www.publicradio.org/columns/futuretense/2009/10/technology-that.html

Netbooks are more than good enough for what they're designed to do. Are they perfect, no. They do, however, enable someone to carry a small and light device that provides them with access to a "PC" that they wouldn't otherwise have because of cost or size and weight. They're small, lightweight, and good enough.

Profit margins will continue to fall in all market segments as long as there is competition and people figure out ways to make things quicker and cheaper.

Posted by Jim B | October 23, 2009 12:48 PM

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I second mr. Schmidth`s comment. Not all computer needs and uses require huge machines. Although computer history has benefited from over-powered machine it is good that the computer industry has created a machine that fits the limited needs of many computer users, you don't need a massive machine to type a letter, run a spreadsheet and write check your email. Plus netbooks are lighter and easier to carry than laptops.

Posted by Luis M Serrano | October 23, 2009 5:24 PM

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I think the combination of a remote netbook accessing a virtual desktop hosted elsewhere resolves many of the "underpowered" issues raised by Mr. Wilcox. It might even be a step toward a high security environment where little, if any, data is on the netbook's hard drive, thereby mitigating the risks associated with loss or theft. It is conceivable that the netbook could be attractive to corporations with a very mobile workforce.

Posted by Tom Peterson | October 26, 2009 8:31 AM