It turns out that netbooks aren’t immune to the slowdown in economies all over the world.  Last year MSI, Acer, and Asus were very confident in their ability to ship more netbooks than they’ve ever been able to.  Unfortunately the reality doesn’t fit that expectation.

According to Digitimes:

Although Acer is estimated to have shipped two million Aspire One netbooks in the first quarter, the sources said that sales in the channel were lower. Meanwhile, Asustek’s Eee PC sales were only 900,000 units, lower than the expected one million units, while MSI had sales of 200,000 Wind series netbooks, the sources revealed.

All hope isn’t lost.  Things could pick up as student leave high school and prepare to enter college over the summer.  This will almost certainly increase demand for netbooks.

1. Acer To Become Netbook King

2. IDC Predicts Netbook Sales Will Double In 2009

3. Acer Looking To Dominate PC Sales

4. 2010 CES Netbooks: MSI U135, U160

5. Rumor Alert: Acer Buying Fujitsu