More on Compaq's A900
Compaq plugs "all-in-one"
printer
By Stephanie Miles
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
March 22, 1999, 5:05 p.m. PT
Compaq Computer today moved to build on its printer
business, introducing its first "all-in-one" machine.
The new Compaq A900 acts as a combination printer, scanner,
fax, and copy machine, the first such offering from the
company. Compaq has enjoyed success bundling its branded
printers with PCs, and is likely to enter the MFP
(Multi-Function Peripheral) market as a major player.
Compaq's expansion in the peripherals market is also part of a
larger trend of PC makers aggressively exploring alternative
revenue streams as they try to offset the rapidly dwindling profit
margins in the PC business. Dell Computer and Gateway, for
instance, are both beefing up their online sales to include
peripheral and software sales.
Compaq's A900 is priced lower and offers more features than
similar products, analysts say, which is also likely to give
Compaq a boost. To aid complicated jobs, Compaq added a
Control Form, which allows users to check off their preferences
with a pen or pencil. The machine then "reads" and executes
the instructions.
Compaq also added Distinctive Ring Pattern Detection, which
means the machine rings differently depending on whether a
fax or phone call is incoming.
The Compaq A900 is priced at $349, about $50 less than
similar machines, according to Gary Peterson, an analyst at
ARS, who wrote about the upcoming Compaq entry into the
peripherals market. Compaq is targeting the A900 at small and
home office users and consumers, the company said.
"In order for a new entrant to be
successful in any peripherals
arena, the new entrant must offer
a product both better and less
expensive than the current
players in the market," which
include Hewlett-Packard and
Canon, according to Peterson.
Although Compaq is not
expected to topple the two printer
giants, the PC maker is likely to
bundle the new machine with its
PCs, which will be a compelling
retail package, Peterson wrote.
"While Compaq does not have the same name as HP and
Canon in the retail…market, the Presario A900 will likely have
the same success as its inkjet printers," he wrote. |
