NTOT - Maybe interesting:
Compaq Introducing Home Networked Internet Pcs
By Reshma Kapadia
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Personal computer maker Compaq Computer Corp. will introduce the first home networked broadband Internet PCs Tuesday, furthering its vision of the digitally networked home.
The Houston-based computer maker will launch a line of Presario Internet personal computers that let consumers digitally network their homes using phonelines -- allowing several users to simultaneously use the Internet and print to a shared printer. The computers will be able to access Internet digital service lines that are much faster than current 56K modems.
''They have taken on the burden of education. There are a lot of companies making noise about home networking, but Compaq is the first to put it in people's hands. By integrating the ability into computers, they give the impression that they are giving it away for free. Most other companies have plans on the drawing board, but Compaq is the first to offer a home networked broadband PC,'' said Karuna Uppal, an analyst at Yankee Group.
''So many different vendors have taken a lot of different steps toward home networking,'' said John Dunkle, an analyst at Workgroup Strategic. ''For the first time, Compaq has said 'Let's take a rational, reasonable approach.' (Their offering) is very easy to install; it leverages what exists, i.e. phone wires. Really what they are doing is consumerizing the network idea.''
The growing number of high-speed data access, multi-PC, online households is driving the interest in household networking, Yankee Group said in a survey released Monday.
''As the Internet has become the main reason for buying PCs in the home, we will start to see technologies emerging and becoming available for the home. In the future (homes) are going to adopt a 'more Web lifestyle' and the Internet will become fundamental to life in the home,'' said Mike Rubin, Compaq's director and general manager of the Presario Desktop Division, in a phone interview.
Tuesday's announcement marks the second leg of Compaq's digital home networking vision, following its earlier high-speed Internet access offer through partnerships with several communications companies, Rubin said.
Compaq will offer a ''Networked Home in a Box,'' which includes two personal computers, color monitors and a color printer for under $2,500.
Compaq will also introduce new portable PCs, including the first ultra-thin and light DVD notebook computer with a unique detachable wedge. With the wedge attached, the computer will be able to play DVD format movies.
Compaq's new Presario 1255 Internet notebook computer with a 333 megahertz processor will be priced under $1,500. Reut08:36 01-05-99
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