The Notebook Untethered: Wireless Technologies are Competing for Space in Portable Computers


location based services

NEW YORK - October 10, 2006 - A changing mix of communications protocols will compete for space in notebook computers as they take a growing share of the personal computer market over the next five years. A new study from ABI Research says that wireless-equipped notebooks will feature a gradual shift from 802.11g to 802.11n Wi-Fi, as well as significant growth in the number of notebooks with embedded UWB or cellular radios."There is limited room in a notebook computer for antennas and radios," says vice president and research director Stan Schatt. "We'll see a battle among competing technologies to reserve a place within the notebook, and number of chip manufacturers are very concerned about that. Notebooks will all (except perhaps the lowest tier of inexpensive Asian machines) have Wi-Fi: the question is, what else will they have? UWB? Cellular? WiMAX?"Both notebook manufacturers and wireless IC vendors such as Intel, Atheros, and Marvell have a critical interest in how notebook connectivity is going to evolve. With the 802.11n standard still some way off, and the Wi-Fi Alliance aggressively promoting certification of "pre-n" products, the stage may be set for some market confusion."Some of the chip makers in particular are unrealistic about their expectations for pre-draft 802.11n," says Schatt. "In our experience large enterprises are always very conservative about embracing non-standard solutions. As a result, what we're likely to see in the next couple of years is a solid majority of 'premium g' device sales in the consumer sector, but not much traction in the enterprise."The new study also finds a seismic change in the mix of regional distribution of PCs over the next few years, with Asia growing strongly, and dramatically shifting its mix of consumer and commercial PCs. Unlike other research in this area, the report also breaks down the "commercial" sector's buying patterns by the size of the business: large enterprises vs SMEs."The Evolution of the PC in a Wireless World" examines the personal computer's changing market dynamics including regional changes to consumer and commercial consumption patterns through 2011 as well as the impact of changing PC form factors. 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. It forms part of the Wi-Fi Research Service, which includes Research Reports, Research Briefs, Market Data, ABI Insights and analyst inquiry support.