March 20, 2000 3:20pm
Compaq notebook nears $1,000
mark
By John G. Spooner ZDNet News
Compaq Computer Corp. on Monday announced a
new low-cost notebook for budget-conscious small
businesses and consumers.
Called the Compaq Notebook 100, the new machine
starts at $1,099. The Compaq Notebook 100's price is
significant because of its potential for those who might
ordinarily purchase a desktop to jump into portability.
The new notebook offers a 475MHz mobile K6-2
processor, from Advanced Micro Devices Inc., and a
12-inch display in a 6.8 pound package. It is 1.7 inches
thick.
That the Notebook 100 comes close to shattering the
$1,000 price point is no coincidence. PC makers have
been striving to build sub-$1,000 notebook PCs for the
past two years. However, component costs and the
overall complexity of a notebook PC continue to keep
notebook prices higher compared with a similarly
configured desktop PC.
Due to the cost of components, many major
manufacturers find it nearly impossible to deliver
models priced under $1,500 without making serious
compromises. Toshiba America Information Systems
Inc., for example, offers some models priced at about
$1,200. Winbook offers a $999 notebook, called
Winbook XL2. However, each model represents a
compromise.
Then again Compaq makes several compromises with
the Notebook 100, too.
To reduce component costs, Compaq chose a
dual-scan screen technology, which costs less than the
active-matrix screen found on more expensive
notebooks. The notebook also utilizes a less powerful
nickel-metal-hydride battery and comes with only 32MB
of RAM.
For those with slightly larger budgets, a version of the
Notebook 100 will come with a 12-inch active-matrix
thin film transistor display and 64MB of RAM. It will
cost $1,499, according to the company.
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