Global shipments of netbooks improved by an eye-popping two,424 % in 2008 and shipments are anticipated to jump 68.five % in 2009,
Microsoft Office Standard 2007 Key, studies market research group iSuppli.
But as economic conditions improve into 2010 and beyond, the research group notes in an an April 30 report, a healthier economy will stunt the currently growing netbook industry.
People are not buying netbooks because they are truly desirable platforms, but rather because as low-cost PCs, they offer a good mix of features at an acceptable price point, wrote Matthew Wilkins,
Office 2007 Professional, a principal analyst with iSuppli.
With financial motivation a key factor in many netbook sales, growth of the netbook platform is likely to slow down when the economy comes back and consumers have more money in their pockets,
Genuine Office 2010 Professional Plus, Wilkins added.
iSuppli defines a netbook as a mobile PC with a fully functional operating system, including local storage,
Window 7 Home Premium Key, a keyboard and a wireless connectivity.
Netbooks or mini-notebooks are generally priced at less than $600 and these devices were originally conceived as second computers for travelers and those who could use a lightweight device to complement their more robust devices: something bigger than a smartphone but smaller than a laptop.
iSuppli is forecasting world-wide netbook shipments of approximately 31 million units in 2010a growth of 39.6 percentand a growth of 13.1 % in 2013. It lists 2008 shipment numbers at 13.two million and 2009 forecasts at 22.two million units.
Those who believe netbooks are cannibalizing the laptop market may welcome such a prediction.
However, Roger Kay, president of research company Endpoint Technologies,
Office 2007, is less inclined to believe it.
Netbooks and their low price points are here to stay, Kay told eWEEK.
They're disruptive to the traditional notebook market and will only improve in quality and performance with time. But once consumers, no matter how well-heeled, get a price point into their heads, they don't give it up easily.