8.9 inch netbooks on the way out
Chinese netbook makers are abandoning small netbook models as sales have slowly dwindled in 2009. As I stated in the netbook buyers guide 7 inch netbook models were getting hard to find with consumer preference leaning towards roomy keyboards and with this news perhaps 8.9 inch netbooks will be gone by Q1 2010? In any case, this news comes after Asus announced plans in February to phase out 8.9 inch netbooks in 2009.
According to Market Intelligence and Consulting Instute Analyst Ya Wei Ku:
"In the fourth quarter of 2008, 8.9-inch models were still the mainstream in netbook PC shipment. In the first quarter of 2009, however, 10-inch models quickly became the market leaders."
The article goes on to state that both Acer, Dell and others that have released 10 inch netbooks in the first quarter of 2009 intend to gradually reduce or halt production on 8.9 netbooks. But with great 10 inch netbooks like the Asus Eee PC 1008HA, Asus Eee PC 1000HE, Samsung NC10 and Acer Aspire One AOD150 who needs the smaller keyboard offered by 8.9 inch models?
This is like GM telling consuumers in the 1970′s that “big” cars were the future.
Did 10″ netbooks become market leaders because they were more heavily promoted than 8.9″ netbooks? Are electronic manufacturers and assemblers deliberately leading the market by making more 10″ than 8.9″ netbooks available? Isn’t upsizing always the goal of any seller?
Who needs an 8.9″ netbook? The many people who want the smallest form factor possible-the original reason for netbooks.
I don’t think the analogy can be compared to big cars. It’s more about usability. Consumers have simply voted with their dollars that 10 inch netbooks are more desirable.
There is absolutely a market for smaller than 10-inch notebooks, but reviewers and retailers keep pushing the size back up. Bigger screen size is constantly touted as a selling point – and it probably is for gamers or consumers moving from a desktop to a laptop for the first time.
I’ve always searched for the most portable solution. A few years ago I had a very rare, hard to get 10-inch Sharp. I got ridiculous amounts of comments and questions about it working on it in cafes. It was no surprise to me netbooks became a commercial hit.
Take the width of ten fingers in a row. That is all the width you need on your keyboard! It’s just a matter of getting used to it. Sure, if you’re a gamer or video editor, you want bigger screen size. If you’re a writer, 9-inch or even 7-inch will do fine.
Very annoyed I won’t be able to buy a decent 9-inch netbook in January…