There aren’t quite as many pink netbook models to choose from in mid 2011. That doesn’t mean very much as there are great pink netbooks on the market, but just not as many. Here is the pink HP netbook, HP Mini 210 model. It’s near the top of the Amazon.com best sellers list.

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I must admit, I recently saw an article about the update HP 211 netbook which is 10.1″ and now ships with the dual core N550 Atom processor. It made me think of the HP311. If you find any customer comments about the HP 311, you won’t find anyone complaining. It’s an amazing netbook! It had Nvidia ION which gave it HD video playback along with great gaming abilities. It also had an 11.6″ screen which made for better viewing, bigger keyboard and better touchpad. You will have to dig around to find one nowadays. The fact is, late in 2010, the HP 311 is still one of the best netbooks ever made. People love this thing. Personally I love it also.

It leads me to a point. Why on earth did HP stop producing the HP 311? Why haven’t they followed up the HP 311 with the new Atom dual core processor along with the new Nvidia ION 2 graphics processing unit with Optimus? I just can’t figure that out. Well I have one explanation.

The HP 311 was simply too good of a computer for the price. If HP followed up the HP 311 with a newer model, it would outsell all their other netbook wannabee laptops. It would happen. I think it’s only a matter of strategy in NOT releasing an upgraded version. The customer satisfaction with the original HP 311 says that there is no reason on earth why they wouldn’t follow up with a newer model. The only reason is that they couldn’t make enough money on the HP 311 and it may be a simple as that.

So, if you can find an HP 311 at a reasonable price, then go for it. Since it’s not being produced, the price goes up because there is a shortage of demand. If you don’t believe me how great it is, then check customer comments on Amazon.com and you will see what I’m saying. People love the HP 311.

A recent story from Digitimes.com about an ABI Research study suggests a strong future for the netbook market. They are predicting 60 million netbooks will be sold in 2010. Beyond 2010, they are expecting the 60 million to double by 2013. The fact is the netbook market is expanding into other areas of the world. The article suggest a strong educational market for netbooks.

Hard to argue with this research. There are always real threats to the future of netbooks, but I feel the organic nature of their rise, will lead to their growing market strength. People do want secondary computers and they don’t want to spend a lot of money on them. There will always be a more expensive option out there and that’s the role of the manufacturers. They are always trying the upsell. They are always trying to maximize profit. The netbook is all about what we want, not what they want.