The personal computer is not dead, despite claims to this effect being made every year.
This is according to David Drummond, Lenovo GM in SA, who argues that we are not in the post-PC era, but instead the era of PC plus, adding that PCs now play an important role in people's personal and professional lives.
He says that, in addition to PCs, users also choose tablets, smartphones and smart TVs. However, Drummond argues that tablets have not and cannot replace PCs, explaining that tablets are used to consume media, whereas PCs are used to create media.
According to Drummond, while tablets were expected to find great demand among consumers, the demand from business was not anticipated. He says the tablet market is a rich market that is wider than ever imagined.
He also argues that elements of tablet technology have trickled into the PC world. For example, he says ultrabooks are lightweight, offering the mobility of tablets, but with more computing power.
The company says Lenovo computers with Enhanced Experience for Windows 7 (EE3) boot up 40% faster than typical Windows 7 machines. The technology uses optimised processes and hardware settings to allow faster boot-up speeds.
Drummond said that while Lenovo has its eyes on the smartphone and tablet markets, its core business remains in computers. He says Lenovo is the only top player in the PC market that only focuses on computers, as opposed to also offering storage and services.
He added that while this strategy comes with risks, it also gives the company the advantage of a focused offering.
Country by country expansion
Drummond says Lenovo has 12% to 14% of the local market share, and hopes to expand this into Africa.
The company currently has offices in Kenya and Casablanca.
According to Drummond, Lenovo's strategy is to expand country by country, as opposed to expanding regionally. He explains that the company establishes a foothold within a country before consolidating and then moving on to the next country.
Drummond says Lenovo is looking forward to a good quarter, especially in SA and Africa, where it continues to grow.
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