Low-cost laptops set to dominate Computex

 

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By Reuters

Posted on 2 Jun 2008 at 08:54

Smaller, low-cost PCs are likely to be at the top of the shopping list for technology buyers gathering in Taipei this week for the world's second largest computer fair, Computex.

Shoppers are feeling the pinch from the credit crunch, rocketing fuel costs and rising prices, leaving consumers reluctant to buy expensive new PCs.

Cheaper, low-cost PCs, such as the Eee PC, may keep growth on track for many computer and component makers.

These PCs will share the stage with a line of eco-friendly computers with slimmer, energy-efficient displays and solar-power systems, designed to cut power consumption as oil prices soar and consumers seek ways to reduce their environmental impact.

"We don't have deep pockets now," says Kevin Chung, manager at Taiwan's Jih Sun Investment Consulting. "We really have to watch closely on the buying interest because that is going to be a signal on how the recovery's strength will be in the second half."

Asus, which makes the runaway success Eee PC, will display new, wider-screen models of the device. Acer will also test the water by introducing similar low-cost PCs as it expand into fast-growing emerging markets, including China and India. "We will launch a notebook different than the ones we've sold before and targeted at a new consumer segment," an Acer spokeswoman claims.

Next to Acer's booth, Intel will be showcasing its Atom processors, hoping to drag attention away from Nvidia's newly-announced mobile rival, Tegra.

Record attendance

The show's organisers say a total of 1,725 exhibitors will attend the show, up 29% from last year to a record high.

For the first time, Computex buyers can have a quick tour of the show by using WiMAX-enabled laptops when they take free shuttle buses.

Many Taiwanese PC makers and telecom operators have pinned their hopes WiMAX technology winning the battle to be the fourth-generation mobile standard of choice.

"WiMAX has been getting much chatter and with players like Sprint and Google coming in, it's a huge push for the technology," says Rosemary Ho, chairman and CEO of Global Mobile, a WiMAX license holder in Taiwan.

Intel has also made a big bet that mobile WiMAX will take off soon, even though many large operators in developed countries are throwing their weight behind the rival Long Term Evolution (LTE).