Netbooks and iPads
The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) reporting today that demand for netbooks is dramatically dropping as more people are considering the iPad for a lightweight computing device. I think the key factor here is that a lot of people mostly do just email and web browsing, and for these customers—millions of them—a full ‘computer’ is not only overkill but unnecessarily complicated for a few simple tasks. The iPad is a new category of device designed for a category of user that’s been around for years.
Netbook Demand
Tablet Purchase Forecast
Forecasts for tablet purchases are highly in favor of the iPad, but that’s likely because there really isn’t much of a competitive field right now, and the average consumer today probably doesn’t know much about the tablet devices from RIM, Samsung, HP and the others. The iPad’s brand recognition is huge now, and the next six to nine months should tell us more about how well these other tablet offerings are being received.
iPad Satisfaction
Satisfaction among iPad owners is high but, again, until competitive devices hit the market this data may not be particularly relevant. I do think that Apple has established such a commanding lead in the category that competitors will have a hard time breaking through. They won’t beat the iPad on a price-vs-features metric (Apple’s supply-chain management is one of its strengths, allowing them to price very aggressively), nor will any of these companies be able to offer anything remotely close to the App Store selection (the store is the killer app) or the software and hardware engineering that make the iPad experience what it is. I think it’s all a battle for second place now, anyway.
Filed under: Apple, Competition, Hardware, Mobile Tags: ipad, netbooks | No Comments »
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