PriceGrabber.com(R) research shows one in 10 online consumers have purchased a netbook
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- PriceGrabber.com(R), a part of Experian, explores netbook trends and solid-state technology in its latest Consumer Behavior Report. Results are based on a survey of 1,545 online consumers conducted in January 2009. PriceGrabber.com defines netbooks as having a screen smaller than 11 inches, costing under $500, and employing a low-power processing chip.
Netbook trends
The netbook is a highly portable device primarily designed to access email, browse the Web and use Web-based applications on the go. Consumers who have purchased a netbook are using it as a complement to their laptop or desktop, not as a replacement. Of those surveyed consumers who own a netbook, 91 percent own a laptop and 87 percent own a desktop. The majority of netbook owners have all three - most likely because each device serves a different purpose. The popularity of the netbook industry continues to grow with the introduction of attractive options, including: ultralow price points, solid-state drives, touch-screen capability, integrated 3G broadband wireless connectivity and larger screens to enhance user experience.
Solid-state technology
Sixty-eight percent of online users surveyed are familiar with solid-state technology and its current application in laptops and netbooks. With continued innovation and price drops, the solid-state drive may be a popular replacement for the hard disk drive. Forty-three percent of online users say they would consider purchasing a netbook with the higher performance solid-state drive option only if prices drop considerably.
Are netbooks simply a trend in a tough economy?
Online consumers continued to show interest moving into January 2009 with netbook traffic increasing to 22 percent of the total Laptops Subcategory from 19 percent in December 2008. Consumers are responding to the netbook for the ultrasmall form factor, ease of Internet accessibility and affordable price. Netbooks may forge a long-term market presence with the continued development of cloud computing and wireless ubiquity. PriceGrabber.com will continue to track online shopping trends and market shares in the coming months. To view the full Consumer Behavior Report which also includes lists of the most popular netbooks and solid-state drive pricing trends, please visit http://mr.pricegrabber.com.
About PriceGrabber.com
PriceGrabber.com, part of Experian InteractiveSM, has established itself as one of the most trusted and effective online comparison shopping services, allowing approximately 26 million consumers each month to search and compare information that enables them to find the right product from the right retailer at the best price. Through continued innovation and a consistent focus on providing the best comparison shopping experience on the Internet, PriceGrabber.com provides savvy shoppers access to millions of unique products and services from thousands of retailers and sellers in 25 product channels. The company also powers comparison shopping functionality for a network of leading Internet sites, including MSN Shopping, AOL Shopping, About.com, iVillage, Comcast and CNET. The company offers comparison shopping in English (at http://www.pricegrabber.com), Spanish (at http://www.preciomania.com) and Portuguese (at http://www.precomania.com) as well as international sites in Canada and the United Kingdom.
PriceGrabber.com is headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. PriceGrabber is a registered trademark, and PriceGrabber.com and BottomLinePrice(TM) are trademarks of PriceGrabber.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation. Other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
About Experian
Experian(R) is a global leader in providing information, analytical and marketing services to organizations and consumers to help manage the risk and reward of commercial and financial decisions.
Combining its unique information tools and deep understanding of individuals, markets and economies, Experian partners with organizations around the world to establish and strengthen customer relationships and provide their businesses with competitive advantage.
For consumers, Experian delivers critical information that enables them to make financial and purchasing decisions with greater control and confidence. Clients include organizations from financial services, retail and catalog, telecommunications, utilities, media, insurance, automotive, leisure, e-commerce, manufacturing, property and government sectors.
Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Experian has corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and has operational headquarters in Costa Mesa, Calif., and Nottingham, UK. The Group employs approximately 15,500 people in 38 countries worldwide, supporting clients in more than 65 countries around the world. Revenue for the year ended March 31, 2008, was $4 billion.
For more information, visit http://www.experianplc.com.
Experian and the marks used herein are service marks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc.
Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.
Ron LaPierre
http://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=73518
