If the operating system (OS) doesn't need to emphasize business use, Linux is a good choice, because its graphical user interface (GUI) software is quite mature. Retailers and contract manufacturers in Taiwan say that novice PC users there, like students and housewives, tend to buy the Linux version of the Eee PC701, while geeks go for Windows XP. The Linux version comes with a launcher providing pre-installed applications, Web services and other features at a click. The design was probably adopted to make the system even easier to use.
The significance of obtaining critical components from vendors other than Intel, Microsoft, etc, is major. While existing PCs with identical critical components compete with each other, they are in fact all much the same. All of a sudden, though, it has become possible to achieve major differences in product value. If a product becomes a hit and component costs can be slashed ahead of the competition, it would mean a major boost in competitiveness.
Alan Tsai, senior vice president of Quanta Computer Inc of Taiwan, said, "In the past we've worked hard to build our technical expertise, but at the same time we've sort of gained a rep as an assembly industry. We've never had the freedom to choose our own core components, specifications or other criteria. Things are different now, though. We still have to demonstrate design and manufacturing strength, but now we have an opportunity to distance ourselves from the competition."
The key application is the Internet, and as a result there is no particular reason why the interfacing equipment has to look like, or even be configured like, a notebook PC. Plans for products aiming at the niche between PCs and mobile phones, said Sony's Kuroiwa, must "...find the perfect product proposal, from among thousands of possibilities, for the individual user." The time has finally come when the product planning capability of PC manufacturers will be crucial.
For example, one possible new type of PC would combine the route guidance functionality of portable navigation devices (PND) with an array of Internet functions. Clarion Co Ltd of Japan plans to release such a product, dubbed the MiND, in the US, Japan and elsewhere in October 2008 or beyond.
MiND can be used as a PND when plugged into a dock in the automobile, and as a portable PC elsewhere. In addition to browser, E-mail client, media player and a few other things, it will also have onboard software for services including map data from Google Inc of the US, and SNS sites like MySpace. It will have two user interfaces, automatically switched depending on whether the unit is docked or not. This is to enhance safety while driving.
by Tomohiro Otsuki
Websites:
Acer: www.acer.com
Apple: www.apple.com
ASUSTeK: www.asus.com
Dell: www.dell.com
Everex: www.everex.com
Gartner: www.gartner.com
HP: www.hp.com
Intel: www.intel.com
Inventec: www.inventec.com
Microsoft: www.microsoft.com
Quanta: www.quantatw.com
Toshiba: www.toshiba.com
VIA Technologies: www.via.com.tw
