Pinboard (guardiantech)

Explaining Windows 8 PC sales over the holidays >> SuperSite for Windows

guardiantech — 2013-01-06T00:35:37+00:00

Paul Thurrott:

It’s not pat to say that the Windows PC market went for volume over quality, because it did: Many of those 20m Windows 7 licenses each month—too many, I think – went to machines that are basically throwaway, plastic crap. Netbooks didn’t just rejuvenate the market just as Windows 7 appeared, they also destroyed it from within: Now consumers expect to pay next to nothing for a Windows PC. Most of them simply refuse to pay for more expensive Windows PCs.
And this isn’t my opinion, it’s a fact. Despite being created as a “touch-first” OS, only 4.5% of Windows 8 PC sales including multi-touch capabilities. When you couple this with the fact that statistically zero percent of PCs that were upgraded to Windows 8 included touch capabilities, you can see that even in the tiny current market of Windows 8 users, virtually no one is using multi-touch.

And that is a problem, because Windows 8 is really all about the multi-touch potential.

From 2009: Should Apple make a netbook? If Tim Cook wants to be its CEO, yes >> Guardian

guardiantech — 2012-12-31T14:09:52+00:00

February 2009:

If there's a single ray of light in the PC gloom, it's netbooks. Their sales are rocketing while larger models' are tanking. And there's another threat to Apple on the horizon: the upcoming Windows 7, which those who've tried it say is much more presentable and usable than Vista. If Microsoft can get Windows 7 out of the door in quick order, then the chance that Apple had to persuade people to switch from XP, or Vista, to Mac OSX will be gone.

Claim chowder. Get it while it's hot.

Reliable!!! >> Benedict Evans

guardiantech — 2012-12-26T22:18:34+00:00

One of the many forms that Android now takes: a $55 Android netbook. Resistive screen, Android 2.2 and a built-in RJ-45 ethernet socket.
When people talk about Android market share, this is included. It's a great way to expand access to the internet in emerging markets, but it isn't exactly a competitive problem for Apple or, arguably, Microsoft.

Maybe not for Apple, but Microsoft might find it concerning: it's dropping the price of keyboard computing access substantially.

Dell quits netbooks, says 'thin and powerful is where it's at' >> The Verge

guardiantech — 2011-12-16T06:44:05+00:00

"Dell confirmed for us that it is no longer making consumer netbooks (the business-aimed Latitude netbooks are still available on Dell.com). Not only are the Inspiron Minis being put in the grave, but the company confirmed for us that it will not be releasing new netbooks based on Intel's forthcoming Cedar Trail platform. In other words, it is done with the category. "That said, it did clarify that its netbook / tablet hybrid — the Inspiron Duo — continues to sell well, and although it isn't in stock on Dell.com right now, it would available again before the holidays are over." Is anyone keeping a count of the sectors that Dell is abandoning? Android phones, netbooks... but it is a sort of canary in the PC coal mine. If Dell quits it, there's no money to be made there any longer through commoditisation.

iPad v Netbook: feature comparison

guardiantech — 2011-06-26T21:45:14+00:00

Some of the points aren't correct any longer, but it's an interesting example of how a feature checklist tells you nothing about a device.