Both Compaq Computer Corp and Hewlett-Packard Co are expected to preview so-called legacy-free PCs this week, as part of the build-up towards Comdex. Compaq’s Vista and HP’s e-PC are expected to be the PC industry’s response to the success of Apple Computer Inc’s iMac line, which moved away from standard PC packaging and design with great success. Compaq is to hold an event in New York this week to introduce its new systems.
The new systems will jettison the old 16-bit PC ISA bus and PS/2 ports, and standardize on USB, already used in the iMac. The move fits in with Intel Corp’s attempt to simplify the PC through the Easy PC initiative, in conjunction with Microsoft Corp (CI No 3,705). Earlier this year, Apple was reporting that it was seeing over 30% of sales from first time computer buyers with a further 11% WinTel converts. In Japan, some 46% of buyers were first time, and 18% Wintel converts.
In contrast, Intel executive VP Paul Otellini has gone on the record to say that, in the Intel world, the proportion of new PC buyers measured against the total number of PC sales had remained steady at around 20%, with the rest coming from the repeat business of smart buyers. Even the shift towards cheaper, low-end PCs hadn’t changed the figures, he said back in February (CI No 3,605). Otellini said that more first-time buyers needed to be attracted to the PC in order to expand the market.
Radical redesigns of the PC are also expected from Toshiba Corp, and also from Packard-Bell/NEC – at least before its massive closures last week.
