Consumer netbook confusion reported

Sound the same as notebooks

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23 June 2009 15:25 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

A new report suggests that US consumers are somewhat confused when it comes to the netbook category.

"They sound the same", says market research company, The NPD Group, as one explanation as to why consumers may be getting netbooks and notebooks confused.

It seems 60% of consumers who bought a netbook "thought their netbooks would have the same functionality as notebooks".

And, likely leading on from this, only 58% of consumers who bought a netbook instead of a notebook said they were very satisfied with their purchase.

18- to 24-year-olds were the most unhappy with their small-scale laptops - 65% said they expected better performance.

And it seems netbook portability may be over-rated - although 60% cited that as the main reason for going net-, rather notebook, the same percentage said they never took them out of the house.

Commenting on these results, Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis at NPD said that retailers:

"Should be marketing mobility, portability, and the need for a companion PC to ensure consumers know what they are buying and are more satisfied with their purchases".