Mini laptop has not created a breakthrough as expected

The performance of mini laptops in reality seems to go against the manufacturer's predictions. This market is gradually becoming quiet after the short-lived attraction created by EeePC.

Talking to VnExpress.net , many computer retail businesses in Hanoi showed little enthusiasm when talking about mini laptops because "this item sold very slowly, luckily, a few units sold a week. ". Even, some units have not thought about importing this product line.

Major electronics centers in Hanoi also do not see many brands in this segment displayed. At Media Mart, only EeePC is sold and PiCo Plaza only has Aspire One. According to salespeople in these places, not many people ask to buy tiny laptops, but most visitors only look at them.

Watching a dark blue Aspire One displayed at PiCo Plaza on Hai Ba Trung Street, a customer named Nguyen Van Thinh said that although he liked the convenience because of the compact size of the machine, he still wondered because of the configuration. The device is also "compact". "My demand is not high. However, if it can't install many programs, it will be interesting. The ability to upgrade is nearly impossible, except RAM. I have to think more carefully before deciding. I intend to buy a small device or not ", Thinh shared.

The indifference, hesitation of consumers makes people begin to doubt the ability to create a breakthrough of small devices, although Asus has created a hot fever in the market with the EeePC and holds the record for discount rate; CMS constantly "changes the shell" ICBook, adding model; Acer, HP eager to promote tiny products while other names like Dell, Lenovo are waiting for the opportunity to launch . The moves of technology firms make people easily imagine a competition. thrilling. But the reality is probably not so.

When introducing the first version of ICBook to market in March, CMS General Director Nguyen Phuoc Hai expressed his expectation that this product will account for at least 10% of CMS's laptop sales in this year. But the next version of ICBook came into being with formality, which is much more eye-catching, yet this product has not yet made any significant mark on the market.

And EeePC, which has led buyers to wait long queues and Vinh Xuan distributor was also very optimistic when claiming to consume 12,000 units per year, also discounted to $ 100 after 3 months of launch. to "clear the way" for new models.

" The price of mini laptops is generally not really cheap. Because currently, with the amount of nearly 10 million VND, it is possible to buy a relatively stable configuration notebook ," said the director of a company that owns 3 computer stores. . " Meanwhile, the tiny PC of HP is equivalent to all the money, Acer or some EeePC models are from 6 to 8 million dongs, but the hard drive is small. Most consumers do not have the computer to choose. choose notebooks more often than mini machines ".

Most mini-laptops available on the market are Netbook-oriented, with the goal of surfing the web. Producers who launch products to the market also target business customers who buy mini machines as a second device or a well-off family as gifts for their wives, children or girlfriends. According to analysts, overseas devices are better consumed. The Vietnamese market is different because the average living standard of the people is not high, so the number of people equipped with two laptops is limited.

However, many other opinions suggest that the race has only just begun because many names have been promoted but have not really entered the market. Moreover, it is not possible to measure the reactions from consumers in a short period of time so it is difficult to conclude anything. Many businesses are still optimistic.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Lan, Managing Director of Dang Khoa IT Plaza, said that using mini laptops will become a trend when the later models are improved, adding more reasonable features than previous products, easy configuration more acceptable. " When it reaches a certain price, it will become a fashion product like a phone and then it is important whether it is fashionable or not, " Lan said.

" Laptop mini is an interesting technology product. When the first machines appeared in Vietnam, consumers were eager to receive it. That shows they care. When the new element is gone, I think. need to look at the device more reasonably, "said Lenovo Vietnam Director Tran Hai Linh. " It is not accurate to assume that it can replace conventional notebooks. But I believe it will be a device that opens up a new market for laptops ."