Acer Review, Asus Review – Netbook 10

As sales of both netbooks and smart phones increase, there has been a lot of speculation about whether they will compete with each other and how similar they are becoming in terms of portability, price and function.

Let’s take a look at the similarities and differences between netbook users and smart phone users, and why smart phones are potentially a serious threat to netbooks.

The Different uses
Netbooks give people portability and access to more computing power when they’re out traveling. They’re perfect for people who tend to live in the suburbs or just have longer commutes and need to send emails or use text editing software and spreadsheets.

Smart phones allow people to be connected all the time.  They are perfect for people who live in cities and use their phones to access the Internet and their email on short trips they take on subways, buses and trains.

Different kinds of users
Netbook users are looking for simple computing functions. Netbooks aren’t ideal for video editors, graphic designers and gamers who need powerful processors and a lot of memory. On the other hand, smart phones like Blackberries and the iPhone are for people who are tech savvy and trendy, and are ideal for this group.

The Overlapping Users
Business people and students/young adults must have a hard time choosing between netbooks and smart phones.
Both groups can benefit from using text editors, spreadsheets and accessing their email on 10” screens while on the go Conversely, both groups can benefit from having smart phones which they can whip out of their pockets every couple of minutes to check their email.

Why Smart Phones are a Serious Threat to Netbook
The biggest differences between netbooks and smart phones are:

1. Size of the screen – 7”-11” on a netbook vs. 6” and below on a smart phone
2. Ability to perform light computing tasks – text editing, spreadsheets, music and video playback etc. is still more convenient on netbooks
3. Battery life – you want to conserve some battery life on your smart phone to use the phone features :)

Smart Phones are consistently blurring the line between smart phones and netbooks. Phones such as Palm and Blackberries come with their own applications and specialty features – stylus based touch screens, high resolution cameras, video recording capabilities, Blackberry messaging etc.
The iPhone has also been instrumental to change with over 25,000 applications released to date. These apps include:

1. Quicksheet ($12.99) which allows users to create, edit and save spreadsheet files, and offers over125 PC-spreadsheet functions
2. Print & Share ($6.99) allow users to print wirelessly using their phone
3. LogMeIn which allows users to remotely view their computer desktop and access files over the 3G network or a Wi-Fi connection.
4. Lots and lots more.

With newer technologies being released in the 4th gen iPhone, other manufactures will begin to push their barriers as well, and the industry as a whole will see major improvements.

Bottom Line
By the beginning of 2010, if not earlier, netbooks will have to rely on a lot more than a slightly larger screen and increased battery life to survive.

Some netbooks are already creating niches that seem smart phone proof:

1. TheAsus N10 J-A2 which caters to the gaming community with hybrid graphics.
2. The MSI Wind U115 which promises a battery life of over 10 hours when used at full power and 24 hours – one day – when used conservatively.
3. The Sylvania Gseries, which is Linux-based and ideal for hackers. This netbook is also equipped for heavy multimedia use, thereby filling another niche.

But as smart phones continue to advance and make it easier to perform tasks on a small screen, netbooks such as the Asus Eee PCs, Acer Aspire Ones and Dell Minis may well grow obsolete.

What do you think? Will netbooks and smart phones co-exist in harmony in 2010?

Related posts:

1. Netbooks are not going to die out.
2. What MS Office 14′s Entry Will Mean for Netbooks
3. LG Netbooks – LG X110 Netbook + LG X120
4. Choosing the Right Tool for the Job
5. Netbooks Offer Great Utility For Computer Technicians

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