Product of the year: the netbook

The advent of Intel's latest and smallest processor, the Intel Atom-based, created an entire new product segment this year: the Internet-based notebook, or netbook.

Netbooks are designed for content consumption on the Internet rather than for content creation. They are not suitable for multi-tasking. They also come with basic computing applications such as music, video-viewing, voice-over IP, instant messaging, online gaming and social networking.

They consume only 25 watts of power, compared to the 35 watts demanded by mainstream notebooks. It is expected that netbooks alone will drive the future penetration of personal computers in Thailand from 15 per cent to 20 per cent.

In 2008 - the first year of netbook availability in Thailand - the devices became hugely popular in terms of market awareness. Many manufacturers were prompted to offer competing netbook products, including the Asus Eee PC, HP 2133 Mini-Note PC, MSI Wind, Acer Aspire One, Dell Inspiron Mini 9 and the Lenovo S10.

At last month's Commart Comtech IT fair, total shipments of netbooks overtook those of notebooks. There were 10 netbook brands.  

Global IT market intelligence firm International Data Corporation (IDC) expects that mini notebooks will increase from around 5 per cent of total notebooks shipped in the Asia-Pacific-except-Japan region in 2008 to more than 10 per cent in 2009. Mini notebooks are a new product category created to meet demand for devices that support mobility. Meanwhile, global shipments of netbooks in 2008 totalled around 11.4 million units and this number is expected to rise to 21.5 million units in 2009.