According to the “Gadgetology” study—culled from Retrevo’s own users—34 percent of students buying laptops are planning to purchase a netbook. Another 49 percent want a full-sized laptop, and the majority of student laptop buyers aren’t considering a Mac. Students surveyed for the report indicate that longer battery life, small size and light weight are all factors affecting their buying decision, according to Retrevo CEO Vipin Jain, who called 2009 “the dawn of the netbook.”
“Fifty-eight percent of them plan on spending less than $750,” said Jain. Apple offers no laptop in that price range—its least expensive MacBook with educational pricing is $949. Only 18 percent of those students surveyed have a budget exceeding $1,000, according to Retrevo.
This seems contradictory to Apple’s explosive growth in this market. Just last year, Morgan Stanely said 40 percent of college students planned on buying a Mac for school.
Update: The Macalope chimes in.