Analyst: Netbooks to stick with 10-inch screens

Those smaller 7-inch screens, which made up about one-quarter of shipments last year, will shrink to less than 5% of the market this year, says iSuppli.

Netbook makers quickly responded to consumer desires for a larger form factor by shifting up to 9-inch and 10-inch screens, over the objections of Intel Corp. and MicrosoftMicrosoft Corp., which were aiming to . Alles zu Microsoft auf CIO.de

Intel, Via Technologies Inc. and Nvidia Corp. have since released more powerful processors or graphics chips that can support larger screens.

The trend of upsizing netbooks has shifted into overdrive in recent months, as DellDell Inc., Samsung, and Lenovo have all announced or released netbooks with 12-inch screens. Alles zu Dell auf CIO.de

Jakhanwal, who regularly talks to LCD makers as part of her research, says she is unconvinced that 12-inch screens will take over on netbooks.