Much has been made about the popularity of netbooks, but now the statistics are pouring in to back up these claims. The market intelligence and research company IDC’s latest report confirms that netbooks accounted for an astonishing amount of computer sales over the Christmas season. This popularity is clearly reflected in the number of computing manufacturers that have jumped on the netbook bandwagon, and, according to the IDC, fuelled in large part by mobile broadband deals offering netbooks on the side for ‘free’.
In terms of actual units sold in the fourth quarter of 2008, netbook sales reached an incredible 3.6 million. This figure alone accounts for 20% of the entire laptop market and easily eclipsing the popularity of business laptops. The pack was led by the netbook giants Acer and Asus, with 1.1 million and 1.01 million units sold respectively. However, the report’s most interesting conclusion is on the role mobile broadband packages, which often offer netbooks for free, played in the mini-laptop’s success. Offered by all of the UK’s major mobile service providers, such as 3, Vodafone, T-Mobile, and others, the packaged mobile broadband deals offer easy internet access to all at an affordable rate; indeed, given the fierce competition and numerous providers of mobile broadband, consumers have managed to be on the receiving end of some incredible bargains.
Whilst netbooks are valued for their low cost, simplicity and ability to go online, mobile broadband is treasured for exactly the same reason. Mobile broadband is affordable, easy to sign up for, available to all, and only requires a dongle to get started; since even the netbook is often provided by the mobile provider. Of course, with the excess of mobile broadband providers in the market today, finding the best plan is often a difficult task. Aside from taking the time to examine every single plan individually, however, you can find the best for you by simply using the numerous websites that compare all the providers for you. The amount of websites offering this comparison service are as extensive as the different deals available; nevertheless, one website, namely Broadband Genie, stands out from the rest on account of its ease of use, accuracy, positive user feedback, and depth.
Not only does Broadband Genie offer the most recent mobile broadband deals available, with a comparison of over 100 different offers, but it also lists separately all the packages that include a free laptop. It allows customers to find the most competitive mobile broadband plan among providers that are offering laptops, ensuring that the customer receives both a new netbook, as well as the best bargain available. With just a cursory glance we see major providers like O2, T-Mobile, Orange and Vodafone, offering high quality netbooks, like the Asus Eee PC 904HD, or the Samsung NC10, for free as part of their mobile broadband packages; no wonder so many people are getting their hands on netbooks.
All indicators point to a continuance in this trend over 2009, with many going so far as to proclaim 2009 as the year of the netbook, even while PC sales decline. Analysts claim netbook sales could reach 30 million over the year, and Acer alone is targeting a 10 million sales figure for its Aspire netbooks. Of course, if the most recent data from the end of 2008 is anything to go by, then these projections are anything but fantastical, and 2009 could truly shape up to be the year of the netbook.
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