Netbook Phenomenon Nearly Over as Slates Go Marching In

Microsoft's own data, released as part of its recent financial disclosure, reveals something we suggested a while back: The netbook phenomenon is winding to a close. As the recession ends, people want more powerful PCs.

The statistics within MS's data are, as the Wall Street Journal notes, pretty unequivocal: Over the last year, laptops in the $500 to $850 price bracket leaped in sales by 35% while netbooks sales grew just 20% and appear to have stabilized at about 12% to 18% of the entire...