Deal or no deal

Interesting article over at Yahoo. I do find some of the data and logic compelling and must agree to some extent about the recommendations on #5 - Netbooks. I don't feel it is necessary to say "no deal" on Net-b right now.

But I will concede that in all likelihood a ~$199 price point will arrive and likely sooner rather than later (at least somewhat driven by cost/margins - HOWEVER - take a look at my previous post about the PC industry tanking in all other categories but one. And that one category's sales more than doubling in a recession riddled '09. That equals substantial demand at the current (yet slowly decreasing) price points). What does this all mean? Will a $199 price open the floodgates and bring in the masses? Who knows.

Just a quick final thought, pondered from the manufacturer perspective. Would I rather downgrade flagship brands in my laptop/utlra light categories to fit into a downgraded price point OR start with a baseline Netbook and offer upgrades to allow for greater customization and increased price points and larger revenue upside? Hmmmmm...

Movie quote:

"Here are just a few of the key ingredients: dynamite, pole vaulting, laughing gas, choppers - can you see how incredible this is going to be? - hang gliding, come on!"

And

"Does the fact that I'm tryin to do it for you - do it for you?"