Study: Netbook Buyers Clueless About Netbooks
Netbook or notebook? Some people don't know.
Tom’s Hardware readers know what netbooks are and also know what netbooks aren’t. It seems, however, that the rest of the buying public doesn’t possess the same sort of knowledge.
According to a study by the NPD Group, 60-percent of consumers who purchased a netbook believed that their machines are the same as notebooks.
While the lines between netbooks and notebooks are blurring, there is still a distinguishing line in the performance differences between the two. Even the fastest Atom processor is still modest compared to the entry-level Intel Celeron CPU, and so netbooks are by nature less powerful.
The confusion between the differences between what a netbook and notebook are capable of may have triggered some consumer dissatisfaction. NPD figured that only 58 percent of consumers who bought a netbook (but were shopping for a notebook) said they were very satisfied with their purchase. In contrast, 70-percent of consumers who planned on buying a netbook from the start were ultimately satisfied with their purchase.
Among 18- to 24-year-olds, one of the main target markets for netbook makers, 65-percent said they bought their netbooks expecting better performance, and only 27-percent said their netbooks performed better than expected, reported the NPD.
“We need to make sure consumers are buying a PC intended for what they plan to do with it," said Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis at NPD. “There is a serious risk of cannibalization in the notebook market that could cause a real threat to netbooks' success. Retailers and manufacturers can't put too much emphasis on PC-like capabilities and general features that could convince consumers that a netbook is a replacement for a notebook. Instead, they should be marketing mobility, portability, and the need for a companion PC to ensure consumers know what they are buying and are more satisfied with their purchases.”
Portability seems to be a key feature that netbook buyers already understand from looking at the product. 60-percent of netbook buyers cited portability as the main reason why they purchased the product, but interestingly, 60-percent of netbook owners admitted to have never taken their computers out of their homes.

Like this is a big surprise? Let's face it, most folks don't know the stuff the average Tom's Hardware reader should know. Every computer (Netbook or not) is hyped up to be the best thing since sliced bread. So most folks figure whatever they buy should perform well. Little do they know there's a big difference between a $200 - $300 Netbook to a custom built gaming PC which only cost $1,000.
Like this is a big surprise? Let's face it, most folks don't know the stuff the average Tom's Hardware reader should know. Every computer (Netbook or not) is hyped up to be the best thing since sliced bread. So most folks figure whatever they buy should perform well. Little do they know there's a big difference between a $200 - $300 Netbook to a custom built gaming PC which only cost $1,000.
Apparently you are not old enough to not feel like to carry a 8lb laptop for job-related travels.
That being said, I recently bought my second netbook (my first being the ASUS EEE 701). The new one is a Lenovo S10e, with a 160GB HDD, Atom N270, and an Intel GMA 950 onboard video. I currently have Windows 7 running the Aero interface fluidly. Fades in and out are perfectly smooth, and video playback is perfectly smooth as well. Bought an external DVD-RW that also works perfectly well, and I get 3h 45m on a 3-cell battery to boot. The bluetooth module was $15 shipped off ebay, and I now use it to connect to my Palm Centro as a modem.
160GB and runs Windows 7 aero interface without any hickups or lag? Sounds plenty powerful for me. It has an express card slot, card reader, and my only gripe is the 2 usb ports.
Using an external monitor, I can even run some mild photoshop, illustrator, indesign, and acrobat work.
Sure, a C2D notebook would be faster, but for the vast majority of people, its yesterday's desktop weighing in at 2.75 pounds with a near 4 hour battery life. I wouldn't use it as a business notebook (being a field technician), as I need a bit more power for what I do, but when I'm not at work, I hardly ever find myself needing more performance.
Best of all, I paid $330 + tax.
No, netbooks aren't notebooks, but for the 80% of consumers, it certainly does nearly everything you want it to.
However, I am not surprised that the typical consumer has no idea what they are buying - if they did, half of the junk that is on the market wouldn't be there at all!
Some folks don't like netbooks and I understand. Personally, I like my desktops to be powerful and my laptops to be portable. For the same price I can buy a laptop that does both fairly well but not as good as two purpose built devices.
All the people in my school who bought netbooks said "Oh, their really cute and small."
and then the next day, they walk up to me saying, "Hey Jeff, can you put this CD on your comp?" then my replied would be "It's a netbook, it has no CD drive on it whatsoever."
Then, they would want to edit movies on my netbook, then they ask again "Jeff, why is your comp so slow?!" then again, my reply was "It's a netbook, what do you expect?"
I bought it because I knew that it would be useful. I used it for school, and I am 150% satisfied with my aspire one. I LOVE NETBOOKS! (although they're weak, but that's why I have a gaming desktop to serve that purpose (you know, games, movie editing))
Netbooks trade off performance for a longer battery life. Keep in mind, my battery lasts around 5 hours, and school lasts 6 hours. But it's ok, I have 2 batteries.
Just sharin' my story.
eh, i carry a 6 lb notebook and about 15 lbs of books each day, its not too bad.
Totally not surprised by that. I still think that 60% should just have bought a $400~$500 that is well within the range of most netbooks in term of price, hands down beat a netbook in performance, and oh... it got a blue-ray drive (or at least a DVD writer). It is lot heavier but why do you care when it just stays home all the time? Actually even a used ~$250 notebook probably still faster than a netbook.
As for the 40%, a netbook is probably fine or better for them depending on what they need.
Exactly: 2.5lbs is key... along with the ability to fit entirely within the glovebox of a VW ;-)
LOL a Pentium D in a laptop, that will fry your balls instantly.