I don't know the profit margin, but the current price on the PalmPilot Professional (Computer Discount Warehouse, current issue of PC Magazine) is $378, PalmPilot Personal is $287. I believe the local computer stores are running a little less. The price on the PalmPilots have come down about $50 in recent months. According to Mang Cheng's recent post of an interview with Eric Benhamou (#9363, 9365, 9366), 3Com will be coming out with lots of nifty new features. However, no date was given.
PalmPilot has been extraordinarily popular, in part because it's very small and they didn't try to cram too many things in it, i.e. no dinky keyboard that's impossible to use. There are many software developers who are writing applications for it, as well as accessories like leather carrying cases, etc. PalmPilot is one of the more popular yuppie toys, along with tiny Motorola cell phones, stuff like that. Consumer Reports even recommended the PalmPilot Pro, I guess they thought the more expensive one was worth the extra money.
I believe that PalmPilot has about 70% of the market, but I'm quoting that figure from memory so don't bet your first-born child on it. Incidentally, 3Com got sued by Pilot, the pen company. 3Com will have to change the name. Perhaps a new name with a new version?
People really should read the interview. Eric Benhamou outlines his plan for world domination. |
