I don't know that complacency with that sort of hyperinflation you describe is really going to solve the problem we're dealing with.
To clarify the problem as I see it, thus making sure we're on the same page, see my post above in reply to you regarding target markets.
Inexpensive subnotebooks with certain limitations one could easily stomach by focusing its use on the vast-majority what-have-you that occurs on a daily basis should be just that: inexpensive.
You're comparing the above to a full-fledged machine that is, relatively speaking, a powerhouse compared to these simple Eee-things. I'd like to see a traveling business user try to write, create and run a graphics-intensive Powerpoint presentation on one of these things without developing maybe a little bit of sweat. The Sony, on the other hand, could handle it with ease. (That said, I suppose if you're using it for simple invoicing in the field it would be fine...)
In essence, I really do believe $500, which is actually $549 (aka 10% more than you describe) is too much. $400 for the same thing and we're speaking the same language, I assure you.
Come now that's a bit harsh, I don't think that you can disregard price rises of internationally traded commodities as hyperinflation. And he doesn't look the complacent type
Sorry, responded to the wrong post...twice (it's late and I can't sleep):
It's not meant to be harsh. John makes a valid point, by all means. My use of the term "hyperinflation" is in its most literal sense, as he describes a series of price increase conditions that are very much in line with the term, especially over such a short period of time.
To further clarify, I use "complacent" in a sense that describes what I feel is an irrational acceptance of high prices based on his rationale of a weak dollar.
Yes, the dollar is weak and the same item yesterday will require greater financial resources to procure today, but by no means should something be arbitrarily expensive in relation to its market and competition.
In my country, you can get wireless mobile internet up to 7.2Mbit down and 1.8Mbit up for your mobile phone or laptop. The coverage is around 90% of the country. My employees travel to and from work with the train, and most of them like to carry their laptops around and take them on holidays. Not because they are workaholic, but because they enjoy their jobs and use the laptops for private time as well. And we are not a 5 to 9 company. If they want to go to the beach and are still able to answer client emails and questions, they are free to do that, as long as the job gets done and projects are delivered on time
The most usage is checking emails, websites, contacting clients, reading PDF files, preparing presentations and give presentations etc, and update project briefing etc. Nothing really powerful, as the laptop will be their secondary machine, it does not need to be powerful, it needs to be portable.
So if there is a 10 inch EeePC , 1280x720 - 2GB Ram - 16GB SDD – built in HSDPA - min 4 hours battery life. I think they can target businesses like mine that would buy it (as a secondary machine) for their employees.
I have a friend who is the manager of a newspaper with around 30 journalists, who would like to have an affordable machine for writing and uploading articles. 7inch is too small, 9 inch is ok, but 10 would be excellent.
Also at most universities a laptop is now mandatory. As there is wifi coverage and HSDPA, most students must buy a laptop and a large majority just needs to do research, type reports and watch movies. They do not need a heavy machine, but they do need a portable machine.
So I think there is a big enough market for a 10 inch version, as long as it is 450-600 Euros and not much higher. Also, in Europe the only laptop you can buy for under 450 euro is the 10 inch MSI Wind. It is not like the US where you have a lot of choice for around 600 USD.
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$800 is still not expensive, compared to 10 inch sony machines that are $1.500.
The $200 was a when the USD had not lost 45% of its value. When oil was 55% cheaper and when metal was 25% cheaper.
So taking that in consideration. $500 for a 9 inch eeePC is still an amazing deal!
I don't know that complacency with that sort of hyperinflation you describe is really going to solve the problem we're dealing with.
To clarify the problem as I see it, thus making sure we're on the same page, see my post above in reply to you regarding target markets.
Inexpensive subnotebooks with certain limitations one could easily stomach by focusing its use on the vast-majority what-have-you that occurs on a daily basis should be just that: inexpensive.
You're comparing the above to a full-fledged machine that is, relatively speaking, a powerhouse compared to these simple Eee-things. I'd like to see a traveling business user try to write, create and run a graphics-intensive Powerpoint presentation on one of these things without developing maybe a little bit of sweat. The Sony, on the other hand, could handle it with ease. (That said, I suppose if you're using it for simple invoicing in the field it would be fine...)
In essence, I really do believe $500, which is actually $549 (aka 10% more than you describe) is too much. $400 for the same thing and we're speaking the same language, I assure you.
Come now that's a bit harsh, I don't think that you can disregard price rises of internationally traded commodities as hyperinflation.
And he doesn't look the complacent type
Sorry, responded to the wrong post...twice (it's late and I can't sleep):
It's not meant to be harsh. John makes a valid point, by all means. My use of the term "hyperinflation" is in its most literal sense, as he describes a series of price increase conditions that are very much in line with the term, especially over such a short period of time.
To further clarify, I use "complacent" in a sense that describes what I feel is an irrational acceptance of high prices based on his rationale of a weak dollar.
Yes, the dollar is weak and the same item yesterday will require greater financial resources to procure today, but by no means should something be arbitrarily expensive in relation to its market and competition.
@Gilbert Tang
In my country, you can get wireless mobile internet up to 7.2Mbit down and 1.8Mbit up for your mobile phone or laptop. The coverage is around 90% of the country. My employees travel to and from work with the train, and most of them like to carry their laptops around and take them on holidays. Not because they are workaholic, but because they enjoy their jobs and use the laptops for private time as well. And we are not a 5 to 9 company. If they want to go to the beach and are still able to answer client emails and questions, they are free to do that, as long as the job gets done and projects are delivered on time
The most usage is checking emails, websites, contacting clients, reading PDF files, preparing presentations and give presentations etc, and update project briefing etc. Nothing really powerful, as the laptop will be their secondary machine, it does not need to be powerful, it needs to be portable.
So if there is a 10 inch EeePC , 1280x720 - 2GB Ram - 16GB SDD – built in HSDPA - min 4 hours battery life. I think they can target businesses like mine that would buy it (as a secondary machine) for their employees.
I have a friend who is the manager of a newspaper with around 30 journalists, who would like to have an affordable machine for writing and uploading articles. 7inch is too small, 9 inch is ok, but 10 would be excellent.
Also at most universities a laptop is now mandatory. As there is wifi coverage and HSDPA, most students must buy a laptop and a large majority just needs to do research, type reports and watch movies. They do not need a heavy machine, but they do need a portable machine.
So I think there is a big enough market for a 10 inch version, as long as it is 450-600 Euros and not much higher. Also, in Europe the only laptop you can buy for under 450 euro is the 10 inch MSI Wind. It is not like the US where you have a lot of choice for around 600 USD.