You would think that with the volume of controversy on the web last week that there was some juicy new development with Britney Spears instead of not-so-innocent little netbooks (aka mini-notebooks). But netbooks were indeed the controversy of the week following comments reportedly made by Intel executive Stu Pann (with whom I worked in the mid-90s) at the Raymond James IT Supply Chain Conference.

Like reports of Spears latest performance, the net burst open with opinion, conjecture, and even a bit of paranoia. Folks took sides and even attacked each other over these devices that are not a smartphone, not yet a notebook.

According to Brooke Crothers at CNET.com, who broke the story on Nov. 28, Stu reportedly said,

• “We originally thought Netbooks would be for emerging markets and younger kids, and there is some of that. It turns out the bulk of the Netbooks sold today are Western Europe, North America, and for people who just want to grab and go with a notebook.”
• “We view the Netbook as mostly incremental to our total available market.”
• “If you’ve ever used a Netbook and used a 10-inch screen size–it’s fine for an hour. It’s not something you’re going to use day in and day out.”

What ensued was a web melee as charged as a Chris Rocker YouTube video. Is it time to “Leave Netbooks Alone!”? Here’s a sample:

“Three Reasons Why Netbooks Just Aren’t Good Enough”

http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/29/three-reasons-why-netbooks-just-arent-good-enough/all-comments

“Ten Reasons to Hate Netbooks”

http://www.t3.com/news/ten-reasons-to-hate-netbooks?=37421

“Why Netbooks Aren’t There Yet”

http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/mowi/article.php/3787471/Why+Netbooks+Arent+There+Yet.htm

“Are Netbooks Headed the Way of the Dodo Bird?”

http://www.inquisitr.com/10131/are-netbooks-headed-the-way-of-the-dodo-bird/

“Sony claims Growing Netbook Market is ʽConfusingʼ ”

http://www.pcretailmag.com/news/30831/Sony-claims-growing-netbook-market-is-confusing

“Can Apple Save the Netbook?”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/28/AR2008112802449.html

“The Time is Ripe for a Rip by Netbook PC“

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/28/BU3E14BCHU.DTL

“Intel: netbooks are OK for an hour or so, that’s all”

http://www.jkontherun.com/2008/11/intel-netbooks.html

The interesting thing about the headlines is that when you actually read the full spectrum of articles, there were some very positive stories on netbooks that sat along with the negative ones. I have been on the receiving end of “less than accurate” headlines, so I can empathize.

The comments are as entertaining as the articles. A poster actually insinuates that one tech blogger has business ties to a competitive platform. Posters go back and forth describing why they love or hate netbooks. Others draw the iPhone/Touch into the debate saying netbooks AND notebooks stink and that Apple has the only true solution that meets everyone’s needs.

Whatever happens with Britney this week, I’m sure we’ll read of it ad nauseam in the entertainment pages. In the high-tech arena, netbooks are supplying all the drama. Does anyone outside the tech bubble really care? I don’t know, but would love to hear your comments on this “unfolding drama.”

Pat Moorhead is Vice President of Advanced Marketing 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 linked sites and no endorsement is implied.