Port Washington, N.Y. — The major cities along the U.S. East and West Coasts are hubs for netbook sales, according to a new report from The NPD Group.
The netbooks, which are defined by NPD as notebooks with 10.2-inch or smaller screens, have boosted overall Windows-based notebook sales between October 2008 and April 2009. During that period, sales of combined notebooks and netbooks have risen 15.7 percent; however, when netbooks are taken out of the equation, sales increased only 3.6 percent.
Stephen Baker, industry analysis VP at NPD, said it is not unusual that the major cities are leading the way when it comes to adopting netbooks.
“It is apparent, by where the most robust early adoption has taken place, that the netbook concept is resonating best in the traditional trendsetting coastal technology markets,” he said.
Baker did warn the vendors not to wander too far from their netbook roots by overloading these devices with higher end features.
“The early adopting markets embraced that the features and capabilities of a netbook were designed to be a portable companion PC, not a lower-priced notebook. As less technologically savvy areas come on board, keeping their focus on technology and away from price will be critical,” Baker said.
