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

Similarly, netbooks may look like notebooks, but ― as we’ve previously pointed out ― they’re not the same.

NPD released a survey last week finding that 60% of consumers who purchased a netbook thought it would have the same performance as a notebook. Additionally, out of the 18-24 year old demographic – a major segment for netbooks – an astounding 65% said they bought their netbooks expecting better performance.

It’s no wonder that some netbook resellers saw a 30% return rate, as reported by Brooke Crothers at CNET.

Clearly, there is confusion in the market over the functionality of a netbook. And I don’t blame the consumer.

So what do we do? BusinessWeek’s Olga Kharif wrote a call to action for PC makers and retailers to better explain the difference in netbooks’ and notebooks’ capabilities. Speaking from personal experience, she writes, “I loved using [my netbook] to quickly check Hotmail or to watch a video off of YouTube. But try multitasking, such as downloading a photo or a document while streaming a video off of YouTube, and their performance falls off the cliff. Consumers need to be made aware of this before they make their purchases.” 

In some cases, consumers may even encounter problems during normal Web surfing. Many Websites now have video or flash right on their homepage. If you’re a parent buying a netbook for your kid, try loading Disney.com.

As with battery life, we think the PC industry has a role in helping consumers make educated decisions. In fact, Best Buy calls out on their Website that, “Netbooks may look like laptops, but they don’t have the full capabilities of a computer.”

What I also find interesting about the NPD survey is that the percentage of consumers who bought a netbook expecting the performance of a notebook closely parallels the percentage of netbooks that never leave the home (60% according to NPD). To me, this signifies that there is an opportunity in the market for a higher-performance product that is inexpensive and lightweight, satisfying consumers’ desire for a small, powerful machine while not disappointing on performance.

Of course, AMD’s response is the “ultrathin” category. If you’re looking for a lightweight, sleek laptop that is still powerful enough to handle your day to day activities, we recommend you check out the HP Pavilion dv2, powered by the AMD Athlon™ Neo processor for ultrathin notebooks. 

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.