If you weren’t aware that TechCrunch are planning to make a cheap tablet-style internet browsing device, a MID if you like, you might wonder what the hell the author of this anti-netbook article is talking about. In my opinion, it’s a rather hopeless attempt at putting down netbooks in order to prepare some space for a new web-browser product they are planning. it’s terribly off-target and badly-researched – "A typical Netbook has a 7 inch screen, an Intel Atom or Via Nano processor" (There hasn’t been a 7" netbook hit the blogosphere for months and as for the Nano-powered devices, we’d like Mike Arrington to show us one!) and "iPhone or iPod Touch, with a tiny 3.5 inch screen, has a vastly better browsing experience than any Netbook (it’s faster too)." Give the article a read here.
I’m all for the TechCrunch tablet and MIDs like it but now that I’ve seen how badly educated TechCrunch are about the computer hardware market, it gives me more reason to believe that they don’t understand exactly what hurdles they are up against with their MID. I’ll never forget what TechCrunch put in writing before: “If all you are doing is running Firefox and Skype, you don’t need a lot of hardware horsepower, which will keep the cost way down.”
November 30th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
iPod tocuh and iphone faster? Is arrington on crack?
Chippy Reply:
November 30th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
He’s a crack link-baiter thats for sure!
Sascha Reply:
December 1st, 2008 at 2:01 am
articles like this one are bringing “link-farming” to a new level. That’s for sure
November 30th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
While TechCrunch’s article may appear off base, I do have to agree with it.
Their effort at creating a web tablet and their comments on netbooks speak to two different segments.
Netbooks have placed themselves as mini-notebooks. Nothing more. I own an MSI Wind, I know what it does well and what it doesn’t. Better than 80% of it is run-of-the-mill laptop. The 20% that is unique relates to configurability (Mac OS), size and battery life. Recent comments by Intel VP Stu Pann buttress this claim: “If you’ve ever used a Netbook and used a 10-inch screen size–it’s fine for an hour. It’s not something you’re going to use day in and day out.” You know what? I agree with that comment. I don’t tend to use mine for more than an hour at a time. I use my X60 laptop if I need more than that (like right now).
A web-tablet is a much different device. Most especially in their need for an improved user interface since it will lack your standard keyboard/mouse input.
I don’t know if TechCrunch’s effort at creating a web tablet will result in much success. Maybe yes, maybe no. There are no real comparative devices right now (slates under $500). But I look forward to seeing what might actually happen. It certainly can’t hurt.
Personally, I think this discussion speaks far more to the wide ranging definition of a MID than anything else.
Stephen Feger Reply:
November 30th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Actually, I think I’ll retract one thing I said. The discussion doesn’t speak far more to the wide ranging definition of a MID.
I think it speaks to the fact that most people (consumers) don’t know these definitions exist, period. They don’t know what a MID is and they don’t know what a netbook is. They never knew what a UMPC was, for example.
In my opinion, people only understand things that differ a relatively small degree from what they understood in the past. Chippy made this argument quite a while ago (9-12 months ago maybe) when he noted that most of the devices that were coming out included keyboards. Why? Because the overall market understands it better. They understand a notebook, so they’ll understand a netbook. A web tablet will have a heck of a time convincing people because they’re going to look at this thing and think, what is it? A big iPod Touch?
It should be interesting.
November 30th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
i doubt he’s badly educated on the subject. his opinion is just tainted by his own special interests, so he is deliberately trying to mislead people.
much like the AMD guy did a few months back.
Stephen Feger Reply:
November 30th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
“deliberately trying to mislead people.” Ouch. A touch harsh, don’t you think? Misleading would be the case if he *didn’t* address their own web tablet effort. But he clearly does. Again, these are two completely different segments.
I will agree with you on the AMD response from a short while ago. They simply don’t have the architectural capability to compete in this market right now. I doubt they would avoid a market opportunity by choice. After all, they’re selling chips, not final devices.
November 30th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
His post actually takes away any credibility he had.
If he was smart enough he should be saying how good netbooks are.. and then say he can make even better product with his web tablet.
November 30th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Who is that guy (Michael Arrington)?
Netbooks have problems, but they are great equipment for (mobile)work.
I think this man is… wrong…
chippy Reply:
November 30th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Exactly. Netbooks have limitations but there are millions of people that are happy with them.
I wonder if the TechCrunch tablet will follow a similar path to the pro-mobile UMPC and remain as a niche device. Loved, but not mainstream.
Steve
November 30th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
what about CPU power for Flash, H.263 should be decoded on the specialaized processor, so Ghz power is not needed
i think tablet is the next step (i mean form factor like Kohjinsha SC3). I’m not sure about the $200, but we have eee pc 900 for $310 in Moscow now, so why cannot we have tablet for a bit bigger price?
the key moment i think is a virtual keyboard – i think it’s a mobile future for 5″ devices (because of the economy on the weight and thickness), but maybe for bigger screens too. iPhone showed that virtual keyboard can be pretty useful on 3,5″ screen. I’m sure that enough fast typing is possible on 7″ and more screen.
December 1st, 2008 at 1:45 am
To be honest, this is pretty much the worst spin after the Pat Moorhead video and the AMD Analyst Day.
All i can say is… WOW!!!!
I mean if any average 12year old would do something like that… well, ok! But on techcrunch? Holy moly!
I just got rid of the techcrunch rss feed and subscribed to Fox news… pretty much the same level of investigative journalism.
seems like someone is looking for Walts’ job at the NYT
December 1st, 2008 at 1:52 am
damn it… of course Walt works for the WSJ.. sorry guys i read too many articles from Techcrunch recently…
December 1st, 2008 at 2:53 am
Apple was first to make good virtual keyboard – on the iPhone
sometimes they will make a 9″ device
i believe only in Apple