Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Applications
    • Applications
    • Mobile
    • Networking
    • PC Hardware

    10 Reasons Why It’s Time for Enterprises to Embrace Netbooks

    By
    Don Reisinger
    -
    October 14, 2009
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      Nokia, the world’s largest cell phone maker, is getting into the world of netbook computing in a big way. The company’s netbooks will be offered in several stores across the United States.

      Nokia’s Booklet 3G will set owners back just $299. This news follows rather interesting figures from market research company DisplaySearch, which found that netbook sales rose sharply year over year by 264 percent.
      So it seems that finally, after waiting for netbooks to have the kinks worked out, the technology is ready for mass-market appeal. But is it ready for the enterprise? Historically, that has been a place where power and usability trump portability. And it’s that portability factor that makes netbooks attractive in the first place.
      But after a long wait, I’m starting to think that netbooks really are ready for the enterprise.
      Here’s why:
      1. They’re so portable
      The netbook isn’t like the desktop, which will always be anchored to the employee’s desk. It’s not even like the notebook, which offers some portability with more power. Instead, the netbook has carved out a niche as a device for employees who travel and need basic functionality. Netbooks won’t run resource-intensive software, but they will run the basics. And if it that’s all some employees need, it’s far better to buy a cheaper netbook than a more expensive notebook.
      2. They’re cheap
      Following that, companies need to remember that netbooks are extremely affordable. The average price of a nice, well-equipped netbook is about $300 for consumers. Companies will easily be able to save cash. Why give some employees computers that they don’t really need? If an organization believes some people could be fine with netbooks, it should go with that.
      3. They’re reliable
      A netbook won’t impress the user with its power, but it might impress with its reliability. For the most part, netbooks are robust machines that can be counted on for the simple tasks so many employees engage in on a daily basis. Netbooks aren’t perfect, of course, but most companies that deploy them across the enterprise will find that they can be relied upon for many tasks.
      4. The screens aren’t that small
      Many companies look at netbooks and say the screens are too small for the average employee. But once they get their hands on a netbook, I think they’ll find that the screen, while much smaller than the average notebook’s, isn’t so bad. Dell’s Mini 10 has a vibrant display that does a fine job of appealing to users. A 10-inch screen isn’t so bad.

      Netbooks Gain Credibility with Vendors, Enterprises

      5. The power deficit isn’t noticeable
      Although netbooks are less powerful than their notebook counterparts, the power deficit isn’t so noticeable if a company has realistic expectations. No, the netbook won’t be capable of running that high-end accounting software. It might not even run time-sheet software. But when users are checking e-mail, editing documents and surfing the Web, I think they’ll be happy with what they find.
      6. More vendors care about netbooks
      Just a few months ago, there weren’t nearly as many vendors developing netbooks. For the most part, they were still unsure just how netbooks would be received in the marketplace. But now, more vendors than ever are offering netbooks. And thanks to that, those vendors are competing for the same money. They need to constantly improve netbooks to stay ahead. It means an arms race is upon us and it’s a great time for any company to capitalize on this emerging trend.
      7. Vendors are targeting companies
      Although the netbook was originally a consumer-oriented product, more vendors have realized that they might be useful for companies, as well. That’s why so many of the netbooks currently offered by those vendors provide a corporate-friendly focus on portability and productivity in simple tasks. It’s a fine time for companies to try out those netbooks.
      8. Economic times are uncertain
      This might follow the item that netbooks are cheaper than notebooks, but I think it’s important for companies to consider the economic times that we all find ourselves in. As most economists have said, the recovery is fragile and anything can happen to send the economy back into a tailspin. Realizing that, companies should be careful in how they spend their money. Netbooks seem like an ideal target for that.
      9. It’ll only get better
      When Microsoft releases Windows 7 on Oct. 22, the company will also offer a Starter edition designed specifically for netbooks. Microsoft claims Starter will be far more reliable for netbook owners. They should also see an improvement in performance. Assuming that’s true, Windows 7 could open a new door for software and netbooks. The enterprise should be on the cutting edge of that.
      10. Sales mean improvements
      As mentioned earlier, netbooks are selling quickly–much faster than any other type of computer on the market. As more vendors realize that, they will continue to improve netbooks to stay one step ahead of their competitors. It’s the enterprise and the consumer that will benefit most from that.
      Netbooks have finally arrived in the enterprise. And it’s time for companies to start trying them out and putting them to work where it makes the most sense.

      Don Reisinger
      Don Reisinger is a longtime freelance contributor to several technology and business publications. Over his career, Don has written about everything from geek-friendly gadgetry to issues of privacy and data security. He became an eWEEK contributor in 2009 producing slide shows focusing on the top news stories of the day. When he's not writing, Don is typically found fixing computers or playing an old-school video game.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Big Data and Analytics

      Alteryx’s Suresh Vittal on the Democratization of...

      James Maguire - May 31, 2022 0
      I spoke with Suresh Vittal, Chief Product Officer at Alteryx, about the industry mega-shift toward making data analytics tools accessible to a company’s complete...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×