Notebook computer manufacturers have been able to shrink their wares to sizes once thought impossible and subnotebooks, while shrinking in size, are growing in market-share! But when is enough, enough already?
Manufacturers such as Fujitsu, Asus, Gigabyte and even Dell are really pushing the envelope when it comes to the size and functionality of portable computing. Asus was one of the first to delve into notebook reduction with their Eee PC and have just announced a new model, the Eee 1000, which sports a 10-inch display and a keyboard that is 92 percent the size of a traditional keyboard.
Challenging Asus is Gigabyte, which has been hyping their new micro notebook, the M912. Gigabyte is aiming to garner market-share by adding a twist; the M912's 8.9-inch display can be flipped around to make the machine a tablet.
Of course, Dell doesn't want to come to the party empty-handed and has launched the "Mini-Inspirion," a mini-notebook that features an 8.9-inch screen.
Feature wise, these three players are pretty close. All are expected to be priced in the $500 range—all sport Intel Atom processors—and all offer touch-pads and keyboards.
What's more—all of those mini-notebooks offer Linux as an option! With these mini-notebooks hitting the market, the question for VARs will be how usable these systems actually are! While those mini-notebooks may be engineering marvels and bring unprecedented portability to the mobile worker, there are still some serious concerns! The smaller keyboards and small, low-resolution screens should be a big concern for most users, as well as over system performance! The performance issue is highlighted by the fact that Linux is the preferred OS for those Mini-Notes! Are these machines so lacking in power that Microsoft Windows Vista would just be too slow and unwieldy to use?
After playing around with some of these systems, I am beginning to think that these systems will be nothing more than niche players and that notebook manufacturers should be focusing on building thin and light notebooks that sport full-size screens and powerful processors—at least as far as the channel is concerned!
What do you think? Are you going to try and sell these mini-notes to your customers? Let me know!
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Comments (2)
I completely agree with your evaluation. I am in the market for a new mini-note book for my business and travel needs but at the same time I want the speed, screen resolution and capabilities that I have on my 17" laptop. The smallest that I am seriously considering is the Dell 1330 XPS because it is the smallest size (13") that still has a relatively great screen, full size keyboard, CD-ROM reader, Intel Duo, etc. The user feedback on the 12.1" HP has been poor screen resolution, it runs hot and other issues. I want it all and I want it now as the commercial goes but I do not think that it will not happen in the near future.
Posted by John Ason | June 11, 2008 1:10 PM
The Eee is the best selling computer in decades. This phenomenon is not to be compared with innovative breakaways like the helicopter, iPod, or WalkMan, but with marketing breakaways like the Model T, Polaroid, and the Commodore 64.
Notice how many successful firms started in the low end of their respective markets, offering real value for less money. Notice how many have learned to keep that segment loyal by continually catering to them: Toyota has Lexus, but also Scion. GM has Cadillac, but also Saturn. Camera's were once synonymous with the name that put one in everybody's hands: Kodak. Nikon never did that! Nor did it ever prosper like Kodak.
Microsoft has learned this lesson too late. Only their fading star, XP, can be pried into these modest machines. Linux shines on them. Bill forgot one of the many cardinal rules of business: Sell to the masses; Dine with the classes. Sell to the classes; Dine with the masses.
Posted by Marcus Rhodes | August 19, 2008 11:36 AM