[Marketing] NPD Group Market Tracking Service (USA): Netbook Sales are Strongest among the Traditional Tech-Centric Coastal Markets

[Sean DALY]

http://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_090528.html

Period: October 2008 - April 2009.
Panel: USA, 60 retailers, 17,000 stores

NPD defines "netbook" as 10.2 inch or smaller screen.

Of note: Boston #7 on USA national list.

77% of Windows sales growth in the notebook (laptop) category was due
to netbooks.

My analysis: unfortunately for MS, their offer in the fastest growing
market segment is limited to Windows XP, asystem poorly adapted to
small screens. Although they have been successful in convincing OEMs
to push Windows over GNU/Linux and to increase netbook screen size,
disk, and processor specs, the tide is coming in. A popular ARM-based
netbook will spell real trouble for them.

Sean