Should have gotten something more serious
In spite of booming netbook sales which have come as a surprise to both
Intel and its partners, recent research by NPD group beancounters shows
consumers aren't exactly happy with what they're getting.
In a survey of 600 American adults who bought netbooks, just 58 percent
of them said they were 'very satisfied', and some are pretty
disappointed with them. Apparently six out of ten consumers thought
netbooks were equivalent to notebooks, and that would provide them with
the same level of functionality. Obviously, this is not the case, but
most consumers just don't get it, as they're relatively uninformed and
fall pray to marketing. Interestingly, 18 to 24-year-olds were the most unhappy of the lot, and
netbooks were originally marketed to kids and students. A whopping 65
percent said they expected better performance from their toys.
It's worth pointing out that this isn't Intel's fault. In fact, Intel
spinners have done everything short of dropping to their knees and
begging OEMs to stop marketing netbooks in a way which could confuse
Joe Sixpack. Intel was always adamant that netbooks were secondary
devices, intended for very undemanding tasks and consumers.
"OEMs aren't marketing (netbooks) properly," said NPD analyst Stephen
Baker, "because consumers think they can use it just like a notebook."
Obviously Intel's warnings fell on deaf ears, as vendors are doing much
to change the way they advertise netbooks. However, in the end the
consumers are to always to blame, as no sane person believes marketing,
and in the age of google, you can inform yourself about the product
you're buying in minutes. It seems some people just can't be bothered
to do so.
More
here.