Consumers are having trouble distinguishing between netbooks and other notebook computers, with more than half of those purchasing netbooks expecting them to have the same functionality as larger notebooks.
That's according to a survey, "Netbooks II: A Closer Look," released this week by research firm The NPD Group. As a result, only 58 of those who purchased netbooks instead of notebooks proclaimed themselves "very satisfied" with the purchase, although 70 percent of those who planned to buy the netbook from the start gave that answer.
“We need to make sure consumers are buying a PC intended for what they plan to do with it,” NPD's vice president of industry analysis, Stephen Baker, said as part of the announcement. “There is a serious risk of cannibalization in the notebook market that could cause a real threat to netbooks’ success.
"Retailers and manufacturers can’t put too much emphasis on PC-like capabilities and general features that could convince consumers that a netbook is a replacement for a notebook," Baker added. "Instead, they should be marketing mobility, portability, and the need for a companion PC to ensure consumers know what they are buying and are more satisfied with their purchases.”
Click here for more information on the survey.
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