It might be too early to say definitively what impact the Apple (News - Alert) iPad will have on the consumer electronics market. It is not too early to say that consumer electronics suppliers are divided about the ultimate impact.

Apple flatly pans netbooks, clearly signaling it has no interest, while Acer is ramping up its efforts in both netbook and slate devices, while HP and Dell (News - Alert) seem to be trimming manufacturing of netbooks. Many other rival manufacturers seem to have withdrawn from the netbook field, unable to compete with HP and Dell on the price front.

Acer (News - Alert) plans to launch a full line of mobile Internet devices, all equipped for 3G mobile network access, by the end of May 2010, the company says. On the other hand, Apple COO Tim Cook says netbooks 'have cramped keyboards, small screens, junky hardware, and bad software.

'They don't offer the consumer experience that Apple wants to offer,' he has said.

But netbooks were instrumental in the increase in PC shipments for most manufacturers in 2009. Among the differences, according to analysts at Gartner, is that Apple's growth was anchored by existing Apple fanatics and the education market.

Growth in PC shipments for companies like HP and Acer came from low-priced laptops and mini-notebooks, which includes netbooks. Netbooks especially helped Acer's shipments, which grew by 61.4 percent year-over-year, in the third quarter, while HP's third-quarter shipments grew by 2.7 percent.

But both HP and Dell appear worried about the low profit possible on netbooks, while Acer is charging ahead.

Mobile computers such as laptops and netbooks accounted for 69 percent of Acer revenue in the first quarter. Netbooks, where Acer leads, will continue to grow at a rate of nearly 50 percent this year, Acer itself believes.

'The netbook is still growing faster than the notebook,' said Lanci. 'I think growth with stabilize at 45 percent to 50 percent growth for the next two or three years.'

But DigiTimes has reported that HP and Dell have both significantly reduced their investments in the 10-inch netbook segment, with HP reportedly even considering quitting the 10-inch netbook market and turning its focus to AMD (News - Alert)-based 11.6-inch notebooks because profits from Intel Pine Trail-based netbooks have been lower than expected, according to sources from notebook makers.

Acer, Asustek Computer and Samsung Electronics remain active in the netbook market, with netbooks accounting for large portions of their overall notebook shipments.

What is less certain is how the iPad launch and low netbook margins will affect thinking about entry into the tablet computer space.

A survey conducted by Zogby recently showed a split profile for potential iPad users. About 52 percent of respondents said they would use such a device for work, while 48 percent said they would use to watch movies, video and TV programs. 

Some 35 percent suggested they would use gaming or other entertainment apps, while 20 percent said they would use it for business presentations.

Those findings suggest why nobody is too sure how the slate computer will develop, as a consumer electronics category. Roughly half of the use cases are for functions that normally would be thought of as a business PC mode, while the other half are more akin to a media consumption device such as an iPod.

The survey findings suggest why nobody is yet clear about what might happen in the tablet space. Users seem equally split on what the device is: a replacement for a netbook or notebook; or an entertainment device such as an iPod or e-book reader.