• alef
  • #! CrunchBanger
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  • Registered: 2009-02-05
  • Posts: 192

Topic: netbooks marketing

Hi,

I would like to have your opinion about one thing.

netbooks are very often associated with the concept of cloud-computing, and access to the Internet from anywhere. More and more OS / software / services are being designed for this use (Chrome OS, jolicloud, some online storage solutions...).

My point of view is that very few of us (at least around me in europe) have actually access to the Internet when being away from home. wifi hotspots are never free and expensive, so mobile use of the netbook is always offline.

We have been hearing for ages about internet connections accessible from anywhere but actually nothing is available now: 3G too slow, 3G+ too expensive, only for professionals, 4G and wimax are not here yet.

This is why I think that cloud computing should rather be designed for computers at home, not for netbooks. what is necessary for netbooks is an offline mode with synchronization when you get back online.

How is the situation in the part of the world you are in ?
What do you think of all these projects designed to be usable only when you are online ?

thanks for telling what you think.

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  • Registered: 2009-02-18
  • Posts: 591

Re: netbooks marketing

It's not that bad - McDonalds has free hotspots (30 min in Germany & Poland - don't know the time limit here).
There are maps of free hotspots available in the net + many shopping centers, bars and coffee bars/restaurants have free wifi where you can access.

I don't know where you live in europe, but in Poland it is OK (even cell phone internet is not THAT expensive, ok it is slow though).

But the fact is that access to your files if they are stored only in the cloud would be difficult... so it is better for now, to have all most needed stuff with you on your netbook or usb-hdd wink

Last edited by klanger (2010-02-18 15:26:47)

  • benj1
  • Wiki Wizard
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  • From: Yorkshire, England
  • Registered: 2009-09-05
  • Posts: 1,084

Re: netbooks marketing

3g internet isn't hugely expensive, £10 - £20 pm here in the uk, i would say the issue is more speed on that front.

I would say the biggest problem is that the internet isn't really ready (both bandwidth wise and the selection of apps available), im not even sure if the concept will take off, which tends to be confirmed by netbooks now basically being laptops minus DVD drives, rather that the internet thin client they were originally supposed to be.

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  • Registered: 2008-12-13
  • Posts: 1,480

Re: netbooks marketing

I think it is a good idea for storage of files you need access to everywhere i.e. dropbox and ubuntu one. They already have the offline access and syncing aspect taken care of there. For other applications I think they've already missed the boat, netbook processors are getting fast enough to handle all the regular apps fine, except really cpu intensive stuff like video editing, which you would have to do on a desktop anyway. Even phones are capable of doing most of the things you would need from them.

I say never be complete, I say stop being perfect, I say lets evolve, let the chips fall where they may.
  • pvsage
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  • From: Section Six
  • Registered: 2009-10-18
  • Posts: 5,916

Re: netbooks marketing

^ +1

Although it isn't online yet, my town (Raleigh NC) is setting up wifi hotspots in the downtown area.  So that means if you go to a rave, a dive bar, or a swanky restaurant, you'll have free wireless access.  The obvious question is, how many people are going to use wireless under those circumstances?

Aside from the above mentioned types of businesses, the only other things downtown are some higher-class hotels (which would provide free wifi to their guests) and government offices.

while ( ! ( succeed = try() ) );
  • Registered: 2011-01-10
  • Posts: 49

Re: netbooks marketing

Here in UK, mobile internet can be very cheap, provided you know what to get.  I use phone's 3G connection and it is fast enough for most things (40-60Kbs).  I didn't even bother with a contract for the phone. Pay-as-you-go £5 top up gets me unlimited internet for a month, cheaper than land line (£24 a month with BT line rental).

  • pvsage
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  • From: Section Six
  • Registered: 2009-10-18
  • Posts: 5,916

Re: netbooks marketing

Thread has been inactive for over a year, and was resurrected by a spambot.

@rizzeh:  If you would like to continue this topic, please feel free to start a new thread.
/closed

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