Netbooks.
Are they really the hottest thing since sliced bread?
$300 for a truly portable web-searching, Word-editing, Powerpoint-presenting machine – that looks cool too. Hmmmm. Can I justify this? Should I get the built in broadband? ($60 x 12 = $720 x 2 year contract = $1440 + 300 cost of machine = $1740 decision. Ooops!).
Will the next-gen of smart phones (iPhone 3G-II (or iPad??), Pre, BB-Storm-II) make this category a short term fad?
I’m not sure. But if I apply the I3 Test to this category, here’s where I’d end up:
Innovative: Yes, in that this category is net-new to the world, offering a size/price combination that is 100% better (half the cost) of previous options (low price and deficient laptops). Yes, in that it is a new type of usage – a quick & dirty portable memory device (I can record my musings on a real keyboard on the bus) that can alway be with me.
Indispensible: Yes, in that it could be the device that’s just alway in my briefcase or bag – even while my workhorse (heavier) laptop stays home. Synching with something akin to Apple’s Mobile Me would be neat and make this a total no-brainer.
Inspirational: when you first see one of these up close (especially Sony’s still Too expensive P series), you just want to own one!
Bottom line: for right now (2009) – this is a HOT new (old) idea. In other words, sub-portables have been around since Toshiba’s Portege and Sony’s ealier attempts over 10 years ago. They were never more than niche products because they forced buyers to choose between other similarly priced laptops.
What can undermine it? In a word, price. These are relative no-brainers at $200-$400. At $550 – $1k, they simply become alternatives to laptops (just another option for a sub-$1k laptop shopper).
What do you think?
