With
Dell’s recent announcement, I hereby declare this the summer of the mininotebook. What is the mininotebook you ask? Well, it seems to be the emerging name for the EEE PC and its various competitors.
Dell’s new entry adds even more confusion to an already confused market. The EEE was so successful because the product was designed and marketed with a clear vision. First, the form factor was familiar and, with the various shades, customizable, and (I cringe to say this) “cute.” Second, and most important, Asus set the right price point. From the outset, the EEE was geared at consumers.
With the addition of the HP Mini-Note, the market became a little more confused. Unlike the EEE, the HP is clearly not a mass-market device. Rather, it is a new attempt to revive the somewhat dead subnotebook market here in the States. Remember, folks, subnotebook are NOT a new idea. Anyone remember the Toshiba Libretto? Historically, subnotebooks have been plagued by their high prices. Although the Mini-Note is not astronomically high in price, a maxed out Mini-Note still costs quite a bit more than your average laptop.
Dell may have the power to make or break this market. Dell has a history of competitive pricing so I am hoping that they set the price for their new mininotebook at the right price point.
Although I am concerned about the lack of a clear direction in the market, I don’t mean to sound completely gloom and doom. I am actually thrilled that we are beginning to see reasonably priced subnotebooks or “mininotebooks” here in the US. It’s no secret that my daily workhorse is a Panasonic R3. Given that a low-end Panasonic R7 retails around $1799, I am very excited to see competitors in this market with lower prices. Keep ‘em coming guys.
Asus, dell, EEE, eee pc, laptop, mininotebook, notebook, subnotebook
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