Global shipments of the popular new category of netbooks (mini-laptops), like the Eee PC, will likely reach more then 8 million this year.
Taiwan's Market Intelligence Center MIC expects the shipments to double next year.
The definition of a netbook is a cheap mobile PC in the price range of about 250-500 Euros that weigh less than 1 kg, have a 7-inch to 10-inch sized LCD screen. Preferably these netbooks run on a light-weight Linux version & carry long-lasting batteries & have a WiFi network adapter.
Taiwanese companies are the main manufacturers of the netbooks. Asustek launched the first Eee PC netbook, the Eee PC 701 last year & since then several new versions of the Eee PC appeared on the market. MSI followed Asustek into the netbook market with their Wind. Other Taiwanese manufacturers who produce netbooks these days are Acer & Giga-byte Technology.
