And it all runs on batteries
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Changes in the workplace and advancements in telecommunications technology, infrastructure and the networking industry, have made mobile computing an important element of the information technology industry, and have enabled portable devices to connect to an almost limitless supply of resources. Thus, the market for portable computers, pen computers, palmtops, peripherals and PC cards is growing rapidly.
The number of people who use computers to communicate by e-mail, the Internet, and on-line service has skyrocketed recently, indicating the potential of mobile computing. According to strategic research by Frost & Sullivan, World Portable Computer, Pen Computer, Palmtop, and Peripheral Markets, revenues in the mobile computing markets are projected to continue growing at more than 20 percent a year through the end of this decade and should have a compound annual growth rate of just under 17 percent for the period form 1996-2003.
The total revenues for this market in 1992 were $12.43 billion. With improvements in the design of portable computers and increased mobility in the workforce, revenues more than doubled in 1995 to $27.17 billion. In 1996, lower prices, the growth of the Internet, increased acceptance of vertical solutions, and the replacement of older machines contributed to a strong 35.3 percent growth in unit shipments, amounting to $33.52 billion in revenues. In 2003, the portables market is projected to generate $99.91 billion in revenues worldwide.
This is an industry that is characterized by fierce competition and constantly changing market conditions. Products in the mobile computing market change rapidly, lines between products are easily blurred, and new segments are constantly emerging. As a result, many market and technology trends are evident as companies strive to keep pace with new technologies and turbulent competition.
The adoption of PC cards, continuing development of wireless communication technology, longer lasting batteries and improved display technology account for the major technological trends in the portable computer market. Notably, the acceptance of PC card standards has allowed laptop, notebook, subnotebook, palmtop, and pen computers to greatly expand in functionality without significantly increasing in size, weight or price.
"The greatest change in this growing industry is the introduction of PC cards. PC cards have replaced many of the functions previously included in the peripheral market. Communications, storage, memory, and networking can all be handled by PC cards," says Michael J. Palma, information technologies analyst at Frost & Sullivan.
Independently, the market is characterized by price to performance, component shortages, and short product cycle issues. Portables manufacturers are constantly trying to narrow the performance gap with desktops, but the situation is inherently one of a moving target, particularly because portables and desktops leverage some of the same advances in component capabilities. However, desktop systems offer more functionality than contemporary notebooks for a third to half of the price.
"How professionals send and receive information and communicate with each other is forecast to continue to change in the next few years. The ability to connect to corporate databases and other on-line resources from remote locations should become a necessity for many businesses. To create and market successful new products, portable vendors must use existing technology to provide affordable solutions to real problems," says Palma.
Frost & Sullivan is an international marketing consulting company that monitors the information technologies industry for market trends, market measurements, and strategies. This ongoing research is utilized to update a series of research publications such as #5434-72 World PC Cards Market and to support industry participants with customized consulting needs. Free executive summaries of all Frost & Sullivan reports are available to the press.
Report: 5680-71 Publication Date: June 1997 Price: $1995
SOURCE Frost & Sullivan |
