Netbooks Creating Worry for Industry Giants

Matt Richtel at the New York Times has written an article discussing the impact netbooks are having in the tech industry.  Here is a brief summary:

• Industry analysts are commenting that low-cost notebook devices could cause trouble for industry giants.  These companies have catered to the notion that consumers want loads of power and tons of functions.
• IDC market research firm predicts that the number of netbooks could expand from below 500,000 in 2007 to 9 million in 2012.
• With Atom, Intel is stepping up to compete with Via and the C7 processor.
• Intel spokesperson, William Calder, says the average price of the Intel Atom processor to manufacturers is $44 vs. $100 for a top of the line chip.
• Microsoft was reluctant to enter the netbook market, but did so because of consumer pressure and a desire not to lose market share to Linux.

Read more about netbooks from the GBM team.  Are you sick of the netbook craze yet?

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