Microsoft has gone on record to say that the term "netbook" use should be restricted and the term "low cost small notebook PC" should be used in its place. The reasoning for the abandonment is because Microsoft sees that netbooks are only good for surfing the web and that there is little distinction between small cheap laptops and netbooks.The real reason for Microsoft wanting to rename the netbook type laptops is driven by its own definition of a "netbook". Microsoft will only license Windows 7 Starter to netbook products. Since Microsoft supposedly defines netbooks based on their hardware (no confirmation or knowledge of spec list for true definition) it would be unfair to force users to buy a full priced version of Windows 7 (Windows 7 Starter is heavily discounted) if their netbook had an extra stick of ram or a slightly beefier GPU.
The term "netbook" will not be going away anytime soon. As of right now this is simply an internal device category for Microsoft to help align its product sales. In short, Microsoft defines "netbook" by the specs of the machine rather than the size and cost of the device.
What does all this mean for the consumer? Not too much is known right now but expect the line between "netbook" and a "small cheap laptop" to now be defined by its operating system. Microsoft is expected to give a more clear understanding of its strategy today.
No, they're just obsessed with renaming things... wonder what it'll be called next month?
I completely agree with you, their marketing department is probably running by poor IQ people with lack of experience.
More like academics with degrees on top of degrees on top of degress...but with no real world experience.
cheapbook? posbook?
+1 for posbook!
Windows Live Low Cost Small Notebook PC Starter Edition is the obvious choice.
Last edited by Calum on 03 Jun 2009 - 19:11
I'm well aware most run on Linux already. The point here is that MS were trying to get into the Netbook market, and they just shot themselves in the foot by trying this.
Uh, no, that really isn't what he's saying.
In the US, Windows has a 95%+ marketshare of "small notebooks". Similar in the UK.
http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsex...and-the-uk.aspx
So, you were saying...?
What is a "netbook"? Is it strictly based on size? Then I guess the $2k+ Oqo was a "netbook". Is the MacBook Air a "netbook"? It's relatively low-powered, and small, but it's definitely not cheap.
Is there a line?
What is a "netbook"? Is it strictly based on size? Then I guess the $2k+ Oqo was a "netbook". Is the MacBook Air a "netbook"? It's relatively low-powered, and small, but it's definitely not cheap.
Is there a line?
Devices between PDAs and laptops?
Anyway, does this mean that we should be getting artificially crippled hardware on cheap devices, with netbooks just slightly more powerful getting a sudden price bump?
Sure for nw they typically have an ATOM x86 processor but it wont be long until 64 bit computing hits them and intel isn't the only CPU manufacturer in the space. If you go based on CPU specs where would that leave the ATOM based desktops?
As such I see it as more a marketing work and I'm sure companies will throw it at any system regardless of the specs.
And here's the real newsflash. (Are you ready?) Microsoft doesn't make the hardware, they make the software that powers them. The hardware manufaturers are free (and will continue) to call their devices whatever they want. Netbook, sub-book, "mini", "One", TinyTop... it is not Microsoft's decision. So let them have their opinion and let the manufacturers name their devices whatever they want.
That's how a free market works.
Yet some people have nearly caught their underwear on fire over it...
That sounds cheap and nasty.
Whats the fascination with adding an extra word or seven onto the name. In the end a Netbook/Notebook/low cost small notebook all perform the same function and all have more or less the same hardware and/or form factor.
The terms only really any good for marketing anyway to distinguish what technically are similar devices and with that being the case...who would want to market something called the "Basic Notebook"
Or as the biz people would say LCSNEE 09
"Super Fun Happy Exciting Time Internet Browsing Word Processing Machine That Does Other Things As Well And Microsoft Owns Your PC"
Now where's my nice big check from MS?
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