iPad, cheap laptops squeeze netbook market -Report

Until recently, netbooks have been hot sellers in the consumer computing market, thanks to their small form factors, long battery lives, and affordable prices. However, the introduction of cheaper full-scale laptops coupled with the launch of Apple's iPad may spell the end of the netbook's market reign. US-based consumer electronics shopping and review site Retrevo.com has just released its latest Pulse Report, which asked laptop, netbook, and iPad owners and prospective buyers what devices they considered vis-a-vis what they actually bought over the past year. Respondents were also asked what products they were currently using and which devices they are planning to buy. The study showed that 30 percent of respondents who held off from buying a netbook when the iPad was announced earlier this year eventually decided to buy into Apple's flagship product. Interestingly, given the choice of buying an iPad or a netbook in the future, 78 percent expressed preference for the iPad versus 22 percent who plan to buy netbooks. On the other hand, full-size laptops are getting more affordable and are eating into the netbook market: of the respondents who were deciding between the two devices over the past year, 65 percent eventually bought a laptop versus 35 percent who settled on netbooks. "(We) don't expect to see the record growth continue for netbook sales in the US. As consumers find the iPad irresistible and inexpensive laptops more practical we predict netbook sales will get squeezed from two sides and will not be able to maintain past growth rates. That said, netbooks should continue to get cheaper and faster and will continue to be an attractive alternative to laptops or other mobile internet devices," Retrevo said in its blog. - GMANews.TV