I'll be a dissenting opinion. While many people who bought netbooks could really benefit better from an iPad and/or spending much more money on a MacBook Air - there are many (at least 5 or 6 people off hand) that I know that loved their netbook. Why? Because they had long train commutes and wanted to work "on the go" without having to drag their very heavy laptop back and forth. They wanted to have a place to plug in their USB keys. To use Microsoft Office. They didn't want to spend a lot of money. And they wanted a keyboard.
When the iPad came out (and even today) - it's not very usable for these people. Maybe now with Microsoft introducing Office for the iPad it might me (although it's still TBD if it will transfer files back and forth without losing formatting/etc). And for many - typing on the iPad isn't a pleasurable experience for long documents.
So for some - the iPad is still out. That leaves the MacBook Air. Great small and light device. Does everything you could want it. But. Cost - $999. Not exactly a "cheap" option for some.
So yes. Netbooks served and serve a purpose. Now these people I know (if their netbooks should die - or whatnot - will need to either spend a lot of money to achieve the same result and/or they will have to buy a very cheap/inexpensive laptop. Which, by most accounts, make the same sacrifices as netbooks.
I agree that netbooks in and of itself isn't a "different" category. But it was and still is a good alternative for many people.
When the iPad came out (and even today) - it's not very usable for these people. Maybe now with Microsoft introducing Office for the iPad it might me (although it's still TBD if it will transfer files back and forth without losing formatting/etc). And for many - typing on the iPad isn't a pleasurable experience for long documents.
So for some - the iPad is still out. That leaves the MacBook Air. Great small and light device. Does everything you could want it. But. Cost - $999. Not exactly a "cheap" option for some.
So yes. Netbooks served and serve a purpose. Now these people I know (if their netbooks should die - or whatnot - will need to either spend a lot of money to achieve the same result and/or they will have to buy a very cheap/inexpensive laptop. Which, by most accounts, make the same sacrifices as netbooks.
I agree that netbooks in and of itself isn't a "different" category. But it was and still is a good alternative for many people.