IDC calls the Asus Eee PC and other Ultraportables as – Disposable Notebooks
May 8, 2008 
2 Comments
A report by the International Data Corporation entitled, Worldwide Ultra-Low-Cost Notebook 2008–2012 Forecast: The Disposable Notebook Opportunity, said that ultra low-cost notebook PCs have received a considerable attention as a potential solution to the digital divide in developing countries but for those in the established regions, these are just secondary, mobile computing devices.
The IDC report also said that the proliferation of ultraportables has successfully filled a spot in the burgeoning market and that is the need for disposable notebooks. IDC defines these notebooks as:
a sub-$500 clamshell form factor mobile PC with a screen measuring from 7-10 inches diagonally, running a full operating system capable of supporting third party applications, and possessing a keyboard and wireless broadband connectivity. Examples include the Asus eeePC and the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) XO.
Likewise, IDC is also forecasting the despite the growth of worldwide shipments in low-cost portables, prices will still remain in the low average selling prices, and that worldwide revenue for this notebooks will remain under 5% throughout the forecast period.
With all due respect to the IDC as a well reputed think tank, I am afraid I would have to disagree on several points raised by their report.
First, that this so called ultraportables should be classified as disposable notebooks. If their argument is the fact that the Asus Eee PC and other ultraportables are selling at a lower price and possesing not-so high end features, the fact still remains that these ultraportables are computing machines in their rights. And even if the owners of these ultraportables would find that their units are already useless, I think that disposing them would be an option, but rather an upgrade. Isn’t it the way other notebooks and desktop PCs are treated? That after they have fully maximize their capacities, the next best thing is to upgrade? Saying that these notebooks are disposable is rather harsh, especially for those who highly value their ultraportables.
Second, I don’t think users in the more established regions treat their ultraportables as secondary computing machines. I think all notebooks and laptops whether the regular ones or the ultraportables are all secondary computing machines. This is especially true with users in the established region.
Ultraportable notebooks are getting their share of popularity not only because they are cheap, but also because of their useful features which include increased mobile computing capabilities which is the wave of the business sector today. This is why we love our ultraportables, and this why we so many blogs devoted to ultraportable low-cost PCs, including our humble abode – the Eee PC blog.
