14 DAY TRIAL // Retrevo has released a new Gadgetology study revealing that US students are less into netbooks than they are into regular-sized laptops. Apple covers this niche in the market quite well, but Retrevo claims the majority of student laptop shoppers are not considering the acquisition of a Mac for their activities.
According to the report, studies indicated that 34% of the US students buying laptops were planning on purchasing small, lightweight netbooks, with another 49% buying full-sized laptops, such as the Apple MacBook. However, this time around, “The majority of student laptop shoppers will not consider buying a Mac,” the Retrevo report reads. Retrevo touts itself as the ultimate electronics marketplace that makes finding, buying and using electronics products simple and fun.
“While Apple has done well historically in the education market, 2009 marks the dawn of the netbook,” Vipin Jain, Retrevo CEO, says. “Students told us they wanted longer battery life, smaller size, and a lighter laptop. 58% of them plan on spending less than $750.00. All but 18% have a budget over $1,000.00. Netbooks are affordable; some costing only $170.00. In contrast, Apple laptops start at $949.00. At a time when many people are experiencing economic hardship, having a new Apple laptop isn’t a necessity.”
Softpedia note
Or so believes Retrevo. Not that we’d doubt its professional expertise, but it’s no deal buying a device that may not handle everything you need to do as a student. Education is not an area where you can afford being a cheapskate. A laptop isn’t something you buy every day. It’s an investment. Nowadays, we’re dealing with a limited mentality smothered by the idea that “cheap means I keep extra dollars in my pocket.” Those $300 you save by not buying a Mac will not get you a job as a banker. In fact, as a student, you’ll probably blow it on nights out.
So, Retrevo continues, since “having a new Apple laptop isn’t a necessity,” the company decided to help shoppers navigate deals by releasing a new online laptop catalogue with an exclusive section for students. “The problem this year isn’t finding deals; it’s finding the best product for your budget. Retrevo can help,” Jain adds.
Softpedia readers have always been eager to share their opinion on this burning topic, and we’re expecting this time to be no different. Use the comments at will.
In related news, Apple is urging those who plan on buying a Mac for college to hurry up, if they want to get that free iPod touch as well. As a college student or a faculty / staff member at any grade level, if you buy a new Mac through September 8, you qualify for a free iPod touch (online rebate).
The Retrevo Gadgetology study was conducted internally, from a random sampling of Retrevo’s four million monthly visitors. The sample size was of 300+ distributed across gender, age, income and location across the United States. Standard deviation for most questions was of 0.498 with a standard error of 0.029.
