Netbooks Versus Tablets - Who Stays, Who Goes

Netbooks have been a popular alternative to larger notebooks and laptops. Their small size and lighter weight made them extremely attractive to college students and business travelers. Their sales growth has been stunted as tablets were introduced. Once tablet keyboards were created, tablets ate into netbook profits even more. The biggest question is whether there is actually room on the market for both netbooks and tablets.

New Netbooks

Even as Lenovo stated they were going to stop making netbooks to make room for three new tablets, Samsung announced their new Chromebook - a netbook with the Google Chrome OS. Though many critics find the new netbook less than impressive, the fact remains that new netbooks are still in production. For people still wanting an all in one, tiny laptop, netbooks are the top choice.

What Tablets Offer

Tablets are a single panel, which are lighter weight than netbooks. The keyboard is on-screen and the entire interface is a touch screen. For those wanting a laptop type experience, wired and wireless keyboards and mice are available. Numerous cases are available to carry tablets safely. You can do anything on a tablet you could do on your netbook and laptop.

Since they are easy to carry, many opt for a tablet over a laptop or netbook. They tuck into bags and purses and are basically large versions of the smart phones so many of have come to love. Does this mean tablets are the future?

What The Future Holds

Technology follows the same pattern. Desktops were supposed to be on the way out as laptops gained popularity, but for the home user, desktops are still preferred and going strong. Laptops were supposed to disappear when netbooks were introduced, but the cramped keyboard and limited performance kept laptops popular. Now, netbooks are supposedly doomed as tablets become the "in" thing. It seems when something smaller is introduced, everything else should disappear.

The truth is netbooks could very well be on the way out. Their popularity was wavering even before tablets were fully introduced. Netbooks cater to a certain group, but desktops and laptops were still far more powerful and offered more for the price. Add tablets to the mix and netbooks stand little chance unless someone offers the perfect combination of functionality and price.

Will tablets spell the end of laptops or desktops? No. Tiny and slim may be great, but it isn't ideal for the heavy use most computer users demand on a daily basis. The compact design will never be ergonomic for constant use. However, it does offer the perfect on the go solution for those wanting to carry their computer with them.