Will netbooks replace laptops and desktops? The boss of ARM, the UK company that dominates the design of chips for mobile devices, reckons netbooks will shoot from 10% to 90% of the PC market in a few years.
Even if he means 90% of the mobile computer market, I don’t think so… At Conosco we saw laptop sales outstrip desktops in summer 2008 – we now sell 50% more laptops than desktops – but netbook keyboards and screens are too small for serious use.
I’m watching Apple’s bet on the iPad with more interest – Apple thinks there is room for small computers, but ones that live alongside larger ones and don’t try to do everything.
