iTechNote

What are consumers looking for when buying a new mobile platform? The answers are connectivity, form-factor, battery life and performance.

Simple, reliable, wireless connectivity

According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), more than 95% of all laptop PCs are expected to have integrated Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) capability by 2006. In addition, IDC expects that by the end of 2005, there will be over 150,000 WLAN hotspots around the world — nearly a 300% increase from 2003.

The emerging interest in Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) connectivity for laptops is expected to grow over this period as well, aided by the growth of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and Wideband Code-Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) and CDMA2000 (1xRTT, 1XEV-DO) across geographical regions.

Innovative form-factors

Thin and Light and Mini-Laptop segments will account for over 93% of the business segment sales by 2007. New thin and light laptops have external height (Z-height) down to 0.65 inch (16.5 mm) and their weight less than 3 pounds (1.4 kg) with 12-inch screens.

85% of business users will opt for laptops with similar specifications. On the other hand, there is still high demand on full size laptop for consumer market but thin and light models are gaining popularity.

Great battery life

Battery life of five hours is a driving target for 2006. An initiative was created by Mobile PC Extended Battery Life (EBL) Working Group to help improve the battery life by lowering the power consumption of 12.1/14.1/15.0 XGA display panels to 3 watts or less. Since establishing the initiative in 2004, average display panel power has dropped from 4.3 – 4.5 watts to 3 watts or less — power savings equivalent to 60 minutes of extra battery life in laptops.

Breakthrough mobile performance

The laptop usage pattern has changed from Mobile Internet in 2004 to Mobile Digital Office for business users and Mobile Entertainment Center for home users now. As a result, most users want to upgrade to higher performance with their laptop purchase to use emerging applications such as VOIP and video chat.

The mobile computing platform continues to move towards greater performance. Intel will upgrade its Centrino technology to Centrino Pro, with the launch to come with the availability of Microsoft Windows Vista OS. Recognized as the Santa Rosa platform, Centrino Pro technology will be built around the 64-bit dual-core Merom core.