In spite of booming netbook sales which have come as a surprise to both Intel and its partners, recent research by NPD group beancounters shows consumers aren't exactly happy with what they're getting.

In a survey of 600 American adults who bought netbooks, just 58 percent of them said they were 'very satisfied', and some are pretty disappointed with them. Apparently six out of ten consumers thought netbooks were equivalent to notebooks, and that would provide them with the same level of functionality. Obviously, this is not the case, but most consumers just don't get it, as they're relatively uninformed and fall pray to marketing. Interestingly, 18 to 24-year-olds were the most unhappy of the lot, and netbooks were originally marketed to kids and students. A whopping 65 percent said they expected better performance from their toys.

It's worth pointing out that this isn't Intel's fault. In fact, Intel spinners have done everything short of dropping to their knees and begging OEMs to stop marketing netbooks in a way which could confuse Joe Sixpack. Intel was always adamant that netbooks were secondary devices, intended for very undemanding tasks and consumers.

"OEMs aren't marketing (netbooks) properly," said NPD analyst Stephen Baker, "because consumers think they can use it just like a notebook."

Obviously Intel's warnings fell on deaf ears, as vendors are doing much to change the way they advertise netbooks. However, in the end the consumers are to always to blame, as no sane person believes marketing, and in the age of google, you can inform yourself about the product you're buying in minutes. It seems some people just can't be bothered to do so.

More here.