The netbook sector is set to be overtaken by tablets and e-readers, as more consumers responded they are likely to buy a tablet (13%) or e-reader (9%) than a netbook (5%) in the 6 months from June 2012. This indicates that consumers may be choosing alternative devices instead of netbooks.

Asus (2357.tw) has seen significant growth in the netbook market since the launch of its Eee netbook range in July 2011(LINK!). In January 2012, 9% of netbook owners said they used an Asus device, which by June 2012 had reached 14%. But this increase shows signs of slowing – in February 2012, 6% of consumers said the Asus is the manufacturer they would be most likely to choose for a new netbook, and in June 2012 only 2% chose Asus.

The most popular ‘next purchase’ netbook brands are Dell (DELL) and HP (HPQ). In June 2012, 18% said they are most likely to buy a Dell, and 18% most likely to buy an HP. Dell recently said it was stopping production of netbooks in favour of more-expensive and lightweight Ultrabooks.

Toshiba (TOSFB) has shown signs of increasing popularity in the January 2012 to June 2012 period, despite an announcement by the manufacturer in May 2012 (LINK!) that it would cease trading netbooks in the US. In January 2012, 2% picked Toshiba as the netbook brand they would be most likely to purchase, which reached 8% of consumers by June 2012.

Most Likely Next New Device among those Planning to Buy a Device in the Next 6 Months

Most Likely Brand of New Netbook among those Planning to Buy a Netbook

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Methodology:

YouGov InvestorView Telecom conducted 3,120 interviews from May 1-May 31 for this research. A nationally-representative sample was drawn from YouGov's online panel. For more information on how InvestorView can help you better understand the netbook and computing market, contact Ted Marzilli at 646-723-4646 or ted.marzilli@yougov.com