According to market research and consulting firm DisplaySearch, global netbook shipments are expected to increase by 103% in 2009 compared to 2008. It is reported that the total netbook sales are expected to reach 33.3 million units in 2009, which is just double of the 16.4 million netbooks that shipped in 2008. Further, the figures could reach 39.7 million in 2010, a growth rate of just 19% compared to 2009.Intel’s Pine Trail for netbooksTo tap the ever increasing growth of netbooks’ sales, Intel has launched its Pine Trail processors viz. N450, D410 and D510. According to the company, the new processors are smaller, lighter and will provide better performance than previous versions of its Atom chips. However, various analysts suggest that the new cheaper processors will be a bad news for PC vendors, because it may lessen the demand for pricier laptops.The Chipzilla has introduced the products, which are more efficient than its predecessors like Atom N280 and integrated the graphics and memory controller into the CPU. It means that Intel wants to address those users, who felt that the netbooks cannot perform like notebooks. Hence, the new processor will help netbooks to run multimedia smoother and enable third-party technology.Recent developmentsThe recent popularity of netbooks over pricier notebooks is bugging PC manufacturers as well as chip makers. Therefore, Intel introduces Pine Trail CPU in a hope that the more costly processors would not be suppressed. But, if the new CPUs shift the users towards netbook instead of pricier notebooks, then it will certainly put pressure on Intel.To cover the growing popularity of netbooks, Microsoft introduced Windows 7 Starter for netbooks. It lacks the Windows Aero theme and is not available in a 64-bit variant. Further, it also imposes a restriction on all users and will allow three simultaneous applications. However, Microsoft stresses that Windows 7 works perfectly fine on netbooks. Recently, various PC vendors are also opting for other operating systems like Google’s Android, Ubuntu or Linux platform. Notebook Vs NetbookTraditional notebooks offer better performing processors, more applications and full computer experience, whereas netbooks use less powerful processors, run lighter-weight operating systems and just cannot handle all the applications that a fully powered notebook computer can. However, people can buy a netbook for $300, whereas notebook costs about $900. But, higher sales of netbooks would decrease the gross profits of PC vendors.One more problem is that many people cannot differentiate in between Netbook and Notebook. In a recent study, it shows that about 60% consumers, who purchased a netbook, think that netbooks and laptops can do the same things.DiscussionIntel has announced new Atom chips for netbooks, which are about 60% smaller and 20% lighter than current Atom processors. Also, the processors allow rich multimedia apps on netbooks, therefore become more functional and suitable for vast consumer base. But, this does not mean that netbooks can run a Blu-ray player or HD movies, or graphically demanding computer games. Meanwhile, the chip maker also indicated that the netbook shipments will have threat from the ultrathin laptops.
© Ken for MobiPre.COM | mobipre's posterous
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