Article updated on 3/12/2009 (see below)
Being too slow to the market can be rather detrimental to your company, as Packard Bell found out after killing off its DOT netbook months after a new model was announced, with some changes in the pipeline to revitalize the brand, making it more relevant to this day and age. Originally meant to go for sale earlier this January from £299, it never really took off. The DOT netbook was based on the Acer Aspire One, and was supposed to come with a 1,024 x 600-resolution display, 1GB RAM and powered by an Intel Atom processor. The usual specifications accompany it, including a 160GB hard drive, three USB ports and 5-in-1 card reader, Wi-Fi connectivity, a built-in webcam and an optional 3G module. No idea what are the new changes to be made – perhaps a 10″ model?
Update:
Packard Bell came back to our source, Pocket-lint, to clarify its comments regarding the Dot, basically reversing what was previously said. The DOT won’t die, after all:
“Packard Bell was one of the first PC manufacturer to enter the subnotebook market with the EasyNote XS (a 7in display netbook) in 2007. Since then Packard Bell launched the Dot, with an attention to details that count for an easy-to-use mobile usage. Discreet and practical with its multigesture capabilities accessible on the touchpad, Dot has been very successful in France, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Italy and Nordics.
As a company of the Acer Group with strong ambitions on mobility, Packard Bell is deeply convinced that the netbook segment will drive the notebook’s growth in 2009 with an increase of the screen size and consumers’ expectations for more design and handy features. In the coming weeks the brand will announce new products that will meet the expectations of consumers who need the perfect companion to socialize.”
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