Chromebooks vs Netbooks: Are They the Same?
The Rise and Fall of Netbooks and the Emergence of Chromebooks
Netbooks, characterized by their small size, low cost, and comparatively slower performance, enjoyed a period of significant popularity. However, their appeal waned as consumers found the user experience ultimately unsatisfactory.
Initially, the perceived affordability and portability of netbooks drove sales. Despite this initial attraction, many netbooks are currently gathering dust, unused by their owners.
The Disappearance of Windows Netbooks
Windows-based netbooks are now largely absent from retail outlets. This void has been filled by a new category of extremely affordable laptops: Chromebooks.
While Chromebook sales figures demonstrate considerable success, a closer examination of their actual usage patterns reveals a potentially different narrative.
Are Chromebooks Repeating History?
A question arises: are Chromebooks simply a modern iteration of the netbook, destined to follow a similar trajectory?
The impressive sales numbers of Chromebooks must be considered alongside data concerning how frequently and for what purposes they are actually utilized.
It's important to analyze whether the appeal of Chromebooks, like that of netbooks before them, is primarily based on price and portability, potentially masking underlying limitations in performance or functionality.
The Shortcomings of Netbooks
Related: 3 Ways to Improve the Performance of Your Existing Netbook
Netbooks initially presented a compelling option, particularly prior to the widespread availability of tablets and slim ultrabooks. A portable device enabling internet access could be acquired for approximately $200. The term "netbook" itself clearly indicated its primary function – connectivity to the internet on the go.
However, their practical performance often fell short of expectations. The pioneering netbook, the Asus Eee PC, was designed to operate with a lightweight Linux distribution and featured a modest amount of rapid flash memory. Subsequently, netbooks began utilizing the more resource-intensive Windows XP operating system – Windows Vista proved too demanding for their hardware.
Manufacturers responded by incorporating sluggish mechanical hard drives, pre-installed bloatware, and even optical disc drives! This resulted in difficulty running standard Windows applications. Furthermore, the construction quality was frequently substandard, and the keyboards were notably small and uncomfortable.
While consumers were attracted by the concept of a lightweight, affordable internet-enabled device, the user experience was often disappointing.
Chromebook Market Performance
The volume of Chromebooks sold has proven to be remarkably strong. Data from NPD indicates that Chromebooks accounted for 21% of all notebook computers purchased in the United States during 2013.
When laptop and tablet sales are aggregated, Chromebooks represented 9.6% of the total devices sold. This figure is equivalent to two-thirds of the iPad sales volume within the US market!
Dominance on Amazon
Currently, two out of the three top-selling laptop computers on Amazon are Chromebook models. This clearly demonstrates a significant level of consumer acceptance and success for these devices.
Chromebooks in Education
A key differentiator between Chromebooks and earlier netbooks is the substantial traction Chromebooks are gaining within the educational sector.
Numerous schools are opting to purchase Chromebooks for students, as an alternative to pricier Windows-based laptops. Their simplified management and security features are advantageous.
However, the primary driver for schools with limited budgets is the comparatively low cost of Chromebooks. Netbooks never achieved this level of adoption in educational institutions.
- Chromebooks offer a cost-effective solution for schools.
- They are easier to administer and secure than traditional laptops.
The combination of affordability and manageability is fueling the growth of Chromebooks in education.
Chromebook Utilization: A Statistical Overview
Related: Determining the Value of a Chromebook Purchase
A more pragmatic assessment of Chromebooks begins with examining their actual usage. Browser operating system statistics, as compiled by StatCounter, illustrate the prevalence of various platforms. As an illustration, Windows 7 held the largest proportion of web activity in April 2014, capturing 35.71%.
The Chrome OS is not individually displayed on this chart, instead being grouped within an "Other" category at the lower end of the scale. Detailed data can be accessed by selecting the "Download Data" link, which provides a CSV file for analysis.
In April 2014, Chrome OS represented just 0.38% of overall web usage. Notably, Desktop Linux, frequently underestimated, accounted for 1.52% during the same period.
It is worth acknowledging that Chrome OS usage has seen growth. Initial sales figures for Chromebooks, released in November 2013, were met with considerable skepticism. At that time, they constituted only 0.11% of global web usage!
However, the figures for Chrome OS have demonstrated a positive trend:
- Nov, 2013: 0.11%
- Dec, 2013: 0.22%
- Jan, 2014: 0.31%
- Feb, 2014: 0.35%
- Mar, 2014: 0.36%
- Apr, 2014: 0.38%
While Chrome OS is experiencing an upward trajectory, it remains firmly positioned within the "Other" segment. Its current share doesn't quite align with the reported sales volumes.
Chromebooks and Netbooks: A Comparison
Related: Living With a Chromebook: Can You Survive With Just a Chrome Browser?
Chromebooks represent a more constrained computing experience when contrasted with conventional personal computers. While a considerable range of tasks can be performed, all operations are executed through the Chrome browser or Chrome applications.
The majority of users will likely refrain from activating developer mode and installing a Linux desktop environment. Access to the robust desktop software suites available for Windows and macOS is not provided.
However, Chromebooks often surpass netbooks in several key aspects. They feature a streamlined operating system specifically engineered for portability and mobile use.
Unlike many Windows PCs and the initial netbooks, Chromebooks are typically free from pre-installed bloatware. Their lower cost is attributable to the absence of Windows licensing fees.
The need for antivirus software, which can significantly impact system performance, is also eliminated. Chromebooks generally offer larger form factors than their netbook predecessors.
Many models now sport 11.6-inch displays, a noticeable upgrade from the 8-inch screens common in earlier netbooks. They also include enhanced, more ergonomic keyboards and utilize rapid solid-state storage.
In essence, Chromebooks embody the original vision for netbooks. The primary appeal of netbooks wasn't running full-fledged Windows applications; it was simply having a lightweight, portable computer.
For numerous individuals, tablets now serve as the true successors to netbooks. If the primary requirement is a portable device for internet access on the go, a tablet may be the more suitable choice.
The Current Status of Chromebooks
The question of whether Chromebooks represent the modern equivalent of netbooks is still open for debate. While it’s premature to draw definitive conclusions, Chromebooks are demonstrably competitive, exhibiting positive sales figures and a growing user base.
However, Chrome OS currently lags significantly behind other operating systems in overall market share; its adoption rate hasn't mirrored the rapid surge seen with tablets.
It’s plausible that netbooks were simply ahead of their time, with Chromebooks fulfilling the original vision. Similar to the initial struggles of Windows XP tablets and netbooks, both ultimately failed to gain traction.
Tablets achieved success with a more polished operating system and improved hardware after a period of development. Now, "netbooks"—or Chromebooks—are experiencing a resurgence, benefiting from a specifically designed operating system and enhanced hardware capabilities.
Chromebooks are difficult to dismiss due to the superior user experience they offer compared to their netbook predecessors. Users desiring to run legacy Windows desktop applications on a portable device might favor netbooks, but this represents a minority preference.
The market may be bifurcated, with consumers choosing between a comprehensive desktop PC experience or a fully-featured mobile tablet experience. The viability of a laptop primarily focused on web browsing remains to be seen.
Further observation is needed to determine if there is sustained demand for a keyboard-equipped laptop limited to web-based applications.
Image Credit: Kevin Jarret on Flickr, Clive Darra on Flickr, Sean Freese on Flickr