The Evolution of the PC in a Wireless World

Commercial and Consumer Trends, Market Segmentation and Forecasts

The PC is in transition. Desktops and notebooks are undergoing significant changes both internally and externally, as widescreen notebooks and small form-factor PCs become more popular. Dual core and quad-core processors are creating high-end niche markets. Customer market segmentation is changing too, as small/medium business sales increase, particularly in Asia, and European and Asian sales of consumer PCs surpass those in North America. The mix of wireless technologies found in PCs, particularly notebooks, will change dramatically over the next five years.

This study examines the personal computer’s changing market dynamics including regional changes to consumer and commercial consumption patterns through 2011. It also provides an in-depth look at the changing mix of Wi-Fi technologies likely to ship with notebooks. The report covers all flavors of Wi-Fi as well as Ultra Wideband (UWB), WiMAX, and cellular radios. The research focuses on channel strengths as well as weaknesses as a way of predicating future growth. It concludes with an examination of the 2005 market including manufacturer shipment numbers at the regional as well as global level.

What Questions Does This Report Answer?

  • How will growing consumer demand in China and India impact PC sales?
  • How will PCs change architecturally over the next five years?
  • What will continue to drive sales of notebooks?
  • How will the mix of large enterprise, SMBs, and consumers change in the PC market regionally over the next five years?
  • How will Wi-Fi evolve in notebooks?
  • Will WiMAX and Ultra Wideband play major roles in notebooks shipped over the next five years?
  • How will the delay in final ratification of IEEE 802.11n impact the sale of notebooks equipped with this technology?
  • Will the Ultra Mobile PC succeed as a platform?
  • Will small form factor PCs come to dominate the market?

Who Needs This Report?

  • PC manufacturers
  • WLAN equipment manufacturers
  • PC monitor manufacturers
  • PC adapter card manufacturers
  • WI-FI chip manufacturers
  • WiMAX and Ultra Wideband chip manufacturers
  • Cellular carriers
  • Investment and financial analysts