The netbook isn’t dead yet, but it’s clearly on its last legs--at least as a general-purpose, lightweight machine for Web computing. Tablets are filling that role for content consumers, low-cost but better-performing laptops are taking over for home users, and Ultrabooks (plus the MacBook Air) are taking the higher-end slots. The netbook may have a niche in certain markets, but its future is clearly limited and shrinking. Our advice:
Don’t buy a netbook today, however attractive the price. You’ll just end up with a dead-end product.