Print
According to market research firm ABI Research, smartbooks -- a relatively new segment -- are about to get their due and will see 163 million shipments worldwide by 2015. But how does ABI define a smartbook?
"ABI Research defines a smartbook as a low-powered device running a mobile operating system that is always connected, either via Wi-Fi or using cellular or mobile broadband," explained Jeff Orr, a senior analyst with ABI Research. "Smartbooks can take many different shapes. They are a subset of mobile Internet devices (MIDS) and netbooks, and address the same potential users, usage, pricing, and market needs. The difference is that they don't use x86 processors."
It isn't entirely clear exactly how wide of an umbrella ABI is opening up for its smartbook definition, which could certainly impact the firm's prediction. Apple's iPad, for example, technically qualifies as a smartbook, and so would a number of other tablets.
"The idea of a smartbook doesn't resonate with anybody thinking of buying such a device," Orr added. "Vendors should avoid creating a separate market category with a new name, instead accepting that they are competing in an established category."
Orr also pointed out that vendors need to put more focus on entry-level smartbooks that would cost the consumer no more than $200.
Image Credit: pcnews.ro
Comments are closed on this article
