The nation's major personal-computer makers are jumping onto the latest Microsoft-driven bandwagon: The so-called "tablet PC."
Tablet computers are like fully equipped PCs and allow users to jot down notes with a stylus or input information using a touch screen instead of a keyboard.
The tablets are also about the size of a notebook screen and weigh just over one kilogram, making them highly portable.
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
"As consumer demand for easy-carrying devices rises, we expect this new style of hand-held computer will take a sizable portion of the market in the near future," Chris Chuang (
Microsoft unveiled its "Tablet PC" at the Comdex fall computer show in Las Vegas in 2000. Many tablet PCs use Microsoft's Windows XP which, unsurprisingly, is the official operating system for its Tablet PC.
"Tablet PCs are more compact than notebook PCs and much more powerful than personal digital assistants," Chuang said.
Chuang sees Tablet PCs cannibalizing notebook sales, with worldwide sales of tablet computers reaching three million units next year. That would represent a 10-percent share of the notebook market.
Currently, Taiwanese computer makers First International and Acer Inc's (
But the two are looking for more orders from global brand-name computer manufacturers to make similar devices.
"We are trying our best to get tablet PC orders from other computer companies," First International's Chuang said.
Microsoft has licensed Toshiba, Fujitsu, Sony, Acer and Compaq Computer to produce and sell Tablet PCs using their own brand names. These companies may choose to outsource production to First International and Wistron to lower costs.
Acer plans to price its Tablet PC at roughly US$2,000 each, about the same price for first-tier notebook computers today.
Acer will market the tablet PC to corporate users rather than consumers.
"In order to upgrade operational efficiency, companies are more likely to invest in tablet PCs," said Jessica King (
With tablet computers, users are able to get rid off their keyboards and write notes on their screens in freehand, just as if they were writing on paper.
King said that it would make it more convenient for users to move around while working. Doctors, teachers, sales people and traders will find the device more useful compared to traditional computers, she said.
Acer said its expects demand to rise once prices drop below NT$40,000.
But it may take another two to three years before prices fall that low, King said.
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