Category Archives: Hardware

Will Windows 8 Save the PC Business?

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Windows_8_screenshotPredictions are in already: Windows 8 will be irrelevant. The clues seem to support the suspicion – the masses are already happy with Windows 7. Enterprise already made a substantial investment upgrading to Windows 7. Another migration in 2012 is just too soon.

But putting all that aside, the PC manufacturers need to support Windows 8 because it’s the platform that will finally bring integration of desktop PCs with Tablets1 – especially in an Enterprise environment.  There’s also a good list of new features that will ensure some to upgrade.  Plus, there are millions of new PCs and Laptops to sell, every year.

Windows 8 is still relevant and it will save the PC business.

  1. As demonstrated in Microsoft’s Build Conference 2011 [↩]

The PC is Evolving

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Toshiba Portege Z830 Ultrathin Laptop

Toshiba Portege Z830 Ultrathin Laptop

Taking the headline from Time Business article, the PC industry is certainly in a different place now.  The PC, aka Microsoft based laptops and desktops, have always been the corporate standard for productivity machines. On the Enterprise level, corporate users demand Microsoft products (ie. Powerpoint) suites, VPN to access internal servers behind the firewall, Remote Desktop for Windows servers, and in some cases, multiple monitors for multitasking needs.

However, there’s been grumbling about the tablets taking over Enterprise issued PCs and Laptops – mainly due to juggernaut Apple’s iPad.  In response, there are now many more tablet offerings from RIM, Toshiba, ACER, or ASUS.  But such ventures do not always end up well. HP pulled the Touchpad after 6 weeks of production!1 That’s just the start – who knows who else will quit the quest to quell the iPad.

There’s a glimmer of hope to revitalize the PC business: the Ultra-thin laptops are coming.  Recently, Toshiba has just announced a good looking one called the Z830 coming this November.  Lenovo has an offering. Even ACER is in the mix.

Just in time too.  There’s a need the lightest portable laptop that will not break one’s back. It helps that it looks as cool as the Macbook Air.

One problem though: price.  It’s understandable why Apple charges way too much for the Macbooks – they’ve historically done this since the Apple II days2. But the PC should not cost as much. To be more competitive, there’s an expectation the PC Ultrathin laptops to be (much) cheaper than the Macbook Air, if they want to sell more of it. Kind of like the HP Touchpad fire sale.

So here’s hoping the evolution of the PC is towards something more useful, powerful, affordable, and highly portable.  There’s still life in the PC world.

  1. Like the old saying from Chrysler’s Lee Iacocca: “Lead, follow, or GET OUT OF THE WAY!”  It’s easier to follow the leader. In HP’s case, they sure did got out of the way. [↩]
  2. 1980’s [↩]

Future of Mobile Data Networks

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Selection of SmartphonesAnything can be communicated via the Internet.  It readily connects everyone to emails, web, television, and voice.  It is where mobile computing’s future lies. The mobile industry seems to be shifting focus to Everything-Over-IP.

Traditionally, a mobile phone is used to communicate voice conversations.   The question now is who needs mobile voice?  Texting has becoming a popular way of doing things in Asia and Europe.  North America is catching up.  Then there’s the popularity of Facebook and Twitter, where Internet connection is required for status updates.  It’s becoming more than just a 1-to-1 communication.  It’s a broadcast of information.

To make Internet capable mobile devices, first the portable technologies have to converge.  Laptops have to be small enough for maximum portability.  Cell phones must be powerful enough to run like computers.  There are plenty of companies like Apple, Toshiba, Dell, and Nokia who are trying to close that gap.

It’s no surprise Apple announced the iPad.  They’re touting it as a reading device, but people know it can be much more.  Its main communication devices are WiFi and 3G.  No voice capability.  However, Apple has also recently allowed VoIP over the 3G network, so apps like Fring or Skype can provide voice calling.  Similarly, AT&T now allows Slingbox, TV anywhere, to go over 3G network to iPhone users (eventually the iPad).  So Apple’s strategy is definitely IP based communication.  Other companies will (or have already) follow suit.

This may sound familiar.  In 1998, there was much hype for Voice-Over-IP (VoIP) in the Telecom industry.  Huge investments were made to lay down fiber optics infrastructure for faster data transfers.  It took a while for that investment to bear fruit, and it looks like the consumers are finally starting to see the benefits.

Interestingly enough, wireless Internet connectivity it not widely available.  But that’s changing, thanks to innovation in wireless technology, such as WiMax or LTE.  It will reach the rural areas where Internet access is scarce.  Also, the price needs to go down in order to make it economically feasible.  Maybe the government should step in?

The direction is to get everyone connected.  Mobile Internet can finally become an integral part of the way people do business and go about their personal lives.  It’s the future of communication – on everyone’s hand.