How can netbook makers set their device apart from the crowd?
Having just attended Laptop Magazine’s live streaming netbook show, technical issues aside, I have to admit it was cool to see so many of the different netbooks on one table. The chance to have a Skype call with Steve Paine, jkkmobile, and Sascha was the best part for me as they are all mobile PC experts. One thing that came out of that conversation that got me to thinking about netbooks in general was the same question that readers here ask all the time- "what is your netbook of choice?". I have to admit that question always stymies me because when I think over all the cool netbooks that have been introduced recently one glaring fact always comes to mind. They are all the same.
Don’t get me wrong, they look different, at least most of them do but look at the primary components that constitute a computer and they are pretty much the same. They’re all running the Intel Atom processor, usually have about 1 GB of memory, have a 120+ GB hard drive (or a tiny SSD drive) and run either Linux or Windows XP. They all have a trackpad and a keyboard that varies slightly, usually based on compromises forced by the size of the device. See, they are pretty much the same. They are all using basically the same hardware components because they have really low profit margins and there is no wiggle room for custom engineering. They all use the same displays, well, you get the point I’m trying to make. They are basically the same machine with slight variations and different branding.
The first thing you have to decide when trying to figure out which you "like best" is determine what size screen you need. They come in two sizes, small (8.9-inch) or large (10-inch) and that determines both overall size and more importantly how much room they have for the keyboard. If typing experience is important for your work then almost certainly you will want a 10-incher as they typically have wider keyboards and thus nearly full sized ones. While some of the 8.9-inch screened devices can offer a decent typing experience they still have keyboards that are smaller than their larger siblings and it becomes more important to try them out before dropping your cash. That’s impossible to do as they are not all in retail stores yet so you’re safer with the 10-inchers.
So if most of these babies are pretty much the same how can the OEMs set their jewel apart from the crowd? I’m afraid it comes down to price, and the lower the better. If your gadget is about the same as the crowd then the only way to stand out is to have the lowest price out there. That means a small profit margin just got very tiny but that’s the state of affairs in netbookland. That’s why so many folks are excited about Dell’s upcoming netbook with its $299 starting price. If it has the same components as the pack, and I think it probably will, then pricing just got even more important. It’s a good time to be a consumer. Oh, you OEMs could stand out with extended battery availability and good accessories too. At least your profit margin will be higher on those.
I’m looking for a netbook in the $400 range with a touch screen (together with the keyboard). I don’t need handwriting recognition, but would like to be able to select links on a web page and scroll about by direct access and gestures rather than using a standard touchpad.
I think the new dell with an after market touch module may be the answer.
i think for the moment James is right, but this really is a brand new market that never existed before the EEE. once the DualCore Atom is released, then Atom’s successor, then more variations in SSD sizes/speeds, we will start to see more diversity in this market. plus by then “budget” netbooks will be offering the “old” Atoms we are currently using now.
its really no different than the standard 15″ market either, they are all essentially the same machines with various casings & slight component variants. they only difference is the 15″ market has alot more component choices than the netbook does.
Trod you are correct but once they start adding new components and features the prices are going to go up and up. It won’t take much to price a device right out of the target market in this genre so there’s not a lot of room to maneuver for these OEMs.
start cheap with the base unit then charge more for the bells & whistles, just like the mainstream 15″ market.
i am from the old school, where subnotes started high & went to ridiculous. so while everyone else is sitting around bitching about these “high” prices ($600 EEE) i am lovin it.
Looks like the only big companies that haven’t released a netbook are Toshiba and Sony, though they really started the netbook form factor with their Libretto and Picturebook series in 1996 and 1998 respectively.
I hope they can bring those back, Toshiba did bring back the Libretto shortly in 2005.
If you want a Netbook right now you don’t have much choice anyway. All this nice netbooks, be it Lenovo or Dell are not out yet, Asus always announces what will come next, and MSI is backlogged even in their own store. So, something to set you appart: Make it available.
Built in 3G is the key. That’s all I miss in all the netbook offers.
Cheers, Lutz
“They are basically the same machine with slight variations and different branding”
I think you’ll find there are some differences with most of the PCs.
some MSI have been re-badged by OEMs, but this is not to say it’s the same as an Asus.
(basic example: displays are different sizes and resolutions, some are touchscreen some are not, not all run the same ATOM, not all even use ATOM)
I think your statement is a little broad.
>>>So if most of these babies are pretty much the same how can the OEMs set their jewel apart from the crowd?
Duh. Make sure it can run OS X trouble-free!
http://tinyurl.com/57j9ka
James, you say it all comes down to price, and the lower the better. I disagree. As I said in a previous post on here a while back, I think there’s a huge, gaping hole in the market for netbook-sized laptops that are between £400 and £1200. There just isn’t anything in that price bracket right now.
If someone would add some premium features to their netbook, like a Core 2 Duo ULV, and 2 GB RAM, and build it with quality materials, I think they could easily justify a £600-£800 price tag, and they wouldn’t have any competition in that market.
It’s just waiting to be done.