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

[Sean DALY]

Interesting news today from Computex in Taipei re ARM netbooks
("smartbook"= cross between "smartphone" and "netbook"):

Microsoft Won't Offer Windows for Smartbooks
http://www.pcworld.com/article/166009/microsoft_wont_offer_windows_for_smartbooks.html

With all due respect to Microsoft's OEM division head quoted, the
first OEM who positions an ARM netbook in the education market (going
price: half the Dell netbook) will eat Microsoft for lunch.

Sean.



On Wed, Jun 3, 2009 at 2:22 PM, Sean DALY <sdaly.be at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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
>