The Netbook Effect - Week 2

In Clive Thompson's article "The Netbook Effect," (WIRED, March 2009) the author descibes the creation of the low cost "Eee PC" intended for use in third world countries. The netbook would offer limited processing speeds but would be equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity and word processing which for most accounts for a majority of computer usage. The original intention for these computers was to be sold to children in third world countries, so they could have the oppurtunity to become familiar with computers and begin to enter the world of technology that so many of us have been living in for the past 20 years.

After the bare bones computers were put on the market what happend was quite shocking. The Eee PC sold out their entire inventory in just a few months. But the computers were not bought by originally intended third world countries, but rather by Americans and Europeans, anxious for a cheaper alternative to the supermachines being pumped out by companies such as Apple and Dell. American companies had always been under the impression that bigger and faster is always better. Old models of computers would become obsolete by the time they were shipped because new technology to make the processor even faster would be created. But the only real reason that ANYBODY would necessitate these immense capabilities would be if were either a hardcore gamer or a program designer. People like me who simply use their computer for web surfing, music playing, and video watch does not need these thousand dollar machines.

With the sales of the Eee PC, many other companies have realized that not everyone wants the newest fastest machine. Many people just want something that will do what they need and this machine could easily be made for under a couple hundred dollars.

This article relates to Chapter 5 in the text "Managing Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm" because it relates to the time table set forth on the evolution of the personal computer. The article almost points us in the direction of taking a step back after we realize these computers are really supplying us with much more than many of us would every need.