The Blackberry Storm Is Not A Netbook (And Neither Is The iPhone)

I will admit, I only clicked on the link to cnet Asia’s interview with RIM co-founder Mike Lazaridis because the headline said “The Storm is a Netbook, says RIM’s founder”.  Nevermind that the interview is not really about that — it literally takes up one very short exchange — cnet Asia knew this statement would get a lot of attention.

Forgive me, I’m about to give them some attention.

I can’t help it.  It bothers me when tech people say things like this.  I’m sure that Lazaridis knows the Blackberry consumer base really well.  But he doesn’t seem to get the netbook consumer base.  He made the same mistake Steve Jobs made in thinking that people only use netbooks to access the internet and email.  More and more I’m starting to agree with Brad (of Liliputing) that the netbook name gives a false impression of the uses for mini-notebooks.

Of course, people use them to access the internet and email, but that’s not all they’re good for. Lazaridis seems to discount the need for screen real estate, the ability to run full versions of programs–not just ones designed for tiny screens–and a keyboard experience similar to that of a regular notebook.  I can write and read on a smartphone screen in a pinch, but I can do so much more on a netbook and for a longer period of time.

The question that prompted Lazaridis’ statement was: Would you consider netbooks as your competitors?

I think this may be the key to understanding why RIM or Apple would attempt to make the case that their handheld devices are netbooks or like netbooks — they do see them as competition.  I don’t think they should worry too much about it.

A netbook is wonderful and portable, but I don’t want to pull it out every time I need to make or recieve a call.  Plenty of mobile professionals have ultraportables yet still sync up their contacts and calendar to a Blackberry or smartphone.  Being able to answer an email quickly with a Blackberry while walking down the street is convenient and not something easily done by a netbook.  And until someone puts an accelerometer in one, iPhone games will continue to be more fun on the go.

The Bottom Line:  Netbooks are laptops.  Small, yes, and not as powerful as their larger siblings, but laptops nonetheless.  A Blackberry is not a laptop.  An iPhone is not a laptop.  Nor do we want them to be.