Blogs - BT Business products & services

[#1]

Once an odd category squeezed between laptops and Smartphones, Netbooks (also called mini-laptops) seem to be one of the fastest growing categories of computers at the moment. Arguably, with a street price around £250 they represent a tremendous value for what appears to be just a scaled down notebook.

But what are they used for?

They’re small, but not small enough to fit in a pocket like a Blackberry. They have a keyboard, but not one on which you would wish to spend hours typing. In fact they’re mostly fit for web browsing, watching videos, light email use and online applications.

So who’s using them?

First impressions would position the Netbook as a consumer product but the way HP and Dell present their respective offering suggests that they could be used in a business context as well, for instance as an ultralight notebook.  

Personally I’m not convinced that portability is the main driver here, I think that a mini-notebook running Windows Vista is mainly seen as a very cheap mobile computer. The argument is that if it doesn’t fit in your pocket it will have to be carried separately, making the size and weight savings over a normal notebook less material. 

The next step, however, is to decide if they are powerful enough for a mobile workforce and whether constraints on IT budgets in a time of recession will force managers to have a second look at them. As far as our IT Support Manager Advisors are concerned, they see little difference between a Notebook and a Netbook as long as it’s running a recent version of Microsoft Windows. Things would be different if Netbooks started to introduce Linux more openly in the business environment, as it would prompt a review of the ITSM scope of support. 

What do you think?

Is there a place for Netbooks in the SME environment? And if so, will it lead to a higher penetration of Linux in the workplace?

Cyril Le Roux,

BT Business IT Services Team

Message Edited by Cyril_LeRoux on 10-11-2008 02:20 PM

[#2]

Cyril,

This is a good question.

I dont think I can see a major opportunity for Netbooks within the SME space, other than in niche applictions.

Will be interesting to see how this market develops.

[#3]

Hmm I could see a use for these in businesses if it's not too difficult to type for long periods of time? If it is a problem they may come unstuck there. Basically they're just small laptops with a little less functionality by the looks of things. For freelance people I can see these being handy, for informal meeting demo's, writing on the move etc

Interesting to see stuff like this, didn't know you lot in bt cared!

cheers