Sony definitely hopes so.  They are launching their P-series of netbook, which has a model with a $1,499 starting price.

What does $1,499 get you?

Model Features: 8″ display with XBRITE-ECO™ LCD technology, 2GB RAM, 128GB SSD, 1.4 lbs., GPS, integrated mobile broadband, glossy Onyx Black, Bluetooth® technology

After you add the 3 year warranty and pick up an extended life battery, the price soon approaches $2,000.  Somewhere Apple is laughing, especially now that the Macbook Air is now available for $999 through the Apple Store.  For $100 over the price of the standard P-series you’ll get a 1.6 Ghz Core 2 Duo processor vs. a 1.33 Ghz Atom processor.

It looks like Apple would be able to just come out with a 10-11 inch version of the Air and they’d be able to corner the high end “netbook” segment.

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