Loading ...I have just seen a sneak preview of the PCMag Digital Network’s 2009 Consumer Technology Holiday Study and it is full of interesting stuff. I don’t want to spoil their party and pre-release all the details, but I do have permission to talk about one particular question, on our favorite subject of netbooks.
From a sampling of almost 1,700 PCMag digital subscribers, they asked netbook buyers whether they would instead consider purchasing an ultra-thin laptop, which has a bigger screen, faster processor and larger keyboard but costs on average $200 – $400 more. Only about a third of those asked said they would still by a netbook.
So, what do we learn from this?
I think it’s fair to takeaway that price is driving the growth of the ultra-thin vs. the netbook segment, with those willing to pay for it getting more for their money in the form of an ultra-thin notebook, and those unwilling to getting a netbook’s more limited functionality instead. Of the 66 percent of the respondents who either weren’t sure or who outright would consider an ultra-thin system, we think something like the HP dv2 and its bigger form factor is worth a look.
But it gets more interesting when considering the data plans that are increasingly associated with netbooks, with BusinessWeek pointing out earlier this year that the total cost of ownership over two years for an otherwise discounted netbook could reach $1,440. That doesn’t include the price ― discounted, but still ― of the device. So now we’re talking more than $1,600.
For a netbook.
Is that real computing at a realistic price?
The truth is that most mainstream users actually don’t really care what processor is in their PC. This isn’t the case for the performance-centric enthusiast, but they make up a very small part of the market. The rest of us care primarily about the user experience, what the system is going to deliver on a daily basis in real-world use scenarios.
Taken together, the PCMag survey data and the BusinessWeek article should be food for thought for anyone in the market for a reasonably-priced new mobile system.
Nigel Dessau is senior vice president and chief marketing officer at AMD. His postings are his own opinions and may not represent AMD’s positions, strategies or opinions. Links to third party sites are provided for convenience and unless explicitly stated, AMD is not responsible for the contents of such links sites and no endorsement is implied
#1 by Martin - August 4th, 2009 at 17:41
Yes, most mainstream users don’t really care about the chips that powered in the netbooks, notebooks or whatever but you must think that system integrators not dumb enought to put the chips if the chips consumes much powers and become too hot. Your products definitely cannot competes with your competitor since your company did not have enought money to roll out a chips that consumes less with adequates performances.
#2 by asH - August 6th, 2009 at 00:49
OpenCL for CPU beta download
just make sure your netbooks or ultra- thin’s or whatever’s can take advantage of Cpu-Gpu OpenCl programs..balancing the loads on cheaper models will make them a viable product at very reasonable prices, Microsoft will love you for it, hell the market will love you for it; love you long time
IT’s Alive, IT’s Alive
#3 by asH - August 6th, 2009 at 01:31
now if only microsoft would rewrite Excel, Access, or powerpoint in Opencl…maybe Sun and Star office?
unleash the power of productivity tools
#4 by asH - August 6th, 2009 at 18:21
It appears John Stokes, author of
‘AMD does reverse GPGPU, announces OpenCL SDK for x86′
or the guys at Ars Technicia are not aware AMD’s new HD GPU’s offer OpenGL 2.0 support, how does that happen in light of OpenCL for CPU beta download.
#5 by asH - August 10th, 2009 at 14:35
Until AMD designs a complete packaged product from conception to consumer waving HP in front of your brand is moot. Dell and HP, yeah, use AMD’s products but never to AMD’s strengths, always a mix of Intel or Nvidia, as if AMD is subpar. I urge AMD to Separate from Intel, Nvidia, Dell, HP; after all AMD can do it all and more; then package designs that consumers can see the distinctions, between AMD’s products and others. It’s only then, AMD can stand on its soapbox and sway consumers to truth; realize AMD is in a league of its own.