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Study Finds that Netbook Consumers Unaware They're Buying Netbooks

Posted 06/25/09 at 04:42:19 PM  by Andy Salisbury

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According to some resent research by The NPD Group, many of the people that are buying netbooks don’t know that they’re doing so.

Sure, the two names may sound familiar (notebook and netbook), but a whopping 60 percent of the people that purchased a netbook expected the same functionality as a notebook. Needless to say, the confusion has led to some irritation.

“We need to make sure consumers are buying a PC intended for what they plan to do with it,” stated 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.”

 

Image Credit: The NPD Group

COMMENTS:9
TAGS: notebook, Research, netbook, study
COMMENTS
avatar I reallly laughed when I

Submitted by AntiHero on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 9:47pm

 I reallly laughed when I saw this. Honestly, whoever thinks they are buying a Notebook when in stores like Best Buy it is labelled as a Netbook, really doesn't know what they're buying. If the consumer is looking for a specific funtionality but looking at cheap products will ask what one meets their needs, and if they don't they will return it and complain, then getting their answer. Open Office, Microsoft Office, Thunderbird, Messenger clients, Web browsing, these are the tasks a Netbook is for. Basically being more mobile while doing basic tasks. I'm going to school soon and honestly, for the skytrain and bus rides, I am going to just grab an Android phone since i need a new phone anyhow. I was considering buying a netbook and tethering my Android phone to it for internet functionality, so I could read MPC while waiting. However I am the kind of person that feels that whoever has the most gadgets when they die wins.

I don't like Microsoft, I associate with it.

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avatarI would research verizon

Submitted by gatorXXX on Fri, 06/26/2009 - 12:17am

I would research verizon wireless first before getting the G1 (only android phone at the moment) because from what I understand,, verizon won't let you tether free of charge. unless you knew that.....heck I could even be wrong!

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avatarI'm burning! I'm burning!

Submitted by Havok on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 4:59pm

It pains me at moments like this to say that I too work at an electronics retailer and most people are ignorant dolts wen it comes to this stuff. Most of the wahoos who I work with don't even understand that the processors aren't multicores on these puppies.

sad stuff this news.

 

 

OMGWTFBBQ

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avatarIf you ask me...

Submitted by Devo85x on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 4:58pm

If you ask me, anyone who doesnt research the computer they are planning on buying deserves whatever they get, they have to right to be mad about it or even slightly anoyed, EVERYWARE you can by a note/netbook it tells you the screen size and the specs, (little hint: if the specs are lower, the computer is slower)

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avatar but... i knew i was buying

Submitted by Denis63 on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 4:42pm

 but... i knew i was buying a netbook...

 Am i special?

       -Denis

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avatarTrue, True

Submitted by ONaE on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 3:01pm

 I actually hear the term "Mini-laptop" or "Mini-notebook" quite often. It seems the majority of people think of them as small fully functional computers. However, I doubt it's a concern, becuase if you can't tell the difference, odds are you don't do much more than surf the web, and write stuff on MSword.

 

◘•↑OfNeutrals↨♠and♠↨Extremes↓•◘

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avatarGoes to show that

Submitted by gatorXXX on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 1:59pm

Goes to show that the computer illiterate and salesman do not mix. But even the comp. illiterate should be able to see a difference between a netbook and a notebook. It's not hard folks. The sheer size difference says it all.  I love it when salesman try to tell me what I need with my purchase. I just laugh and keep walking.

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avatarI normally stick around long

Submitted by sreesesr on Fri, 06/26/2009 - 12:25pm

I normally stick around long enough to see just how much they REALLY know about the products they are selling then I end up making them look stupid. 

 

 

U.S. Army Sergeant

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avatar And whenyou DO tell them

Submitted by nekollx on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 2:19pm

 And whenyou DO tell them what you need they point you to either a over priced moster that is 10 times more then you need or some tinkerbell till will strugle to just open the ap....often in the same tour....

------------------------------
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Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.

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