Netbook Prices Are Now Falling
Submitted by srlinuxx on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 20:45.
Personal computer maker Acer said Friday morning it is cutting the price of its Aspire “netbook” to $349 from $399. It’s cutting the price of another netbook, the Linpus Linux Lite, to $329 from $379. None too soon.
The entire category of so-called netbooks – personal computers designed primarily for Internet use – may be headed over a price cliff, according to industry analysts.
That notion was one take away of the Intel Developer’s Conference, which took place in San Francisco this week. A major topic of the conference was the growth of the category of netbooks.
“Dozens and dozens of netbooks were shown,” said Richard Doherty, research director for Envisioneering, an electronics market research firm. The computer makers saw for the first time “just how many competitors they have.”
Netbooks too profitable ? Uses less material ? $79 player ?
Netbooks will be better and cheaper is no doubt great for users. It was originally targeting children and family members as gifts. Now it is going mainstream cloud computing.
It may replace many PDAs. But itself maybe replaced by cellphones. Its is a question of weight(less cost) and price. Then how functionality bridge itself in our luggage.
So, we are starting to design towards cellphone form factor. Massively integrate CPU with large L2 cache to replace ddr. We are going with thinner glass panels for larger LCD display with LED lighting. We are promoting USB peripherals with self contained firmware including USB LCD monitors.
It will take a few years to get all the department stores to carry ultralight computers, because of cost. This Christmas, department stores will be the battle ground for market penetration by many netbook manufacturers. Acer is always the price leader in computer stores.