It is clear that the South African market is at the start of a significant growth phase for mobile computing devices, according to Mark Lu, CEO of computer components and peripherals distributor, Rectron.
Lu was commenting on the recent signing of an exclusive distribution agreement between Rectron and Toshiba, the Japanese laptop vendor, which is geared towards strengthening Toshiba`s position in the local mobile market through Rectron`s dealer and reseller outlets.
At a function to mark the launch of the Toshiba Satellite, Tecra and Portege range of notebooks to Rectron`s channel partners, Lu said the advent of wireless technology is the catalyst the market was waiting for to spur sales of mobile computers to record levels.
"Wireless is now a reality, and this, combined with the fact that Toshiba has overcome the constraints that have limited the success of other vendors` notebook offerings, points to a booming market for laptops in 2002," said Lu.
He said the constraints were limited battery life and heavy and cumbersome product offerings - both of which are addressed in the new Toshiba range.
Lu stressed that the advent of faster processing power from Intel would also position the Toshiba laptop - the first to incorporate Intel`s mobile Pentium 4 processor - more attractively for traditional desktop users, particularly as the price gap between laptop and desktop was closing rapidly.
"Toshiba`s Satellite range is an example of this development," he says. "At the bottom end of this range, models are capable of replacing the traditional desktop at comparable prices. They are capable of handling typical office duties and, at the same time, can be taken home by the workers if need be."
Pointing to the higher end of this range, Lu said fully featured models, with large format 14-inch screens, are available which have the capacity, power and speed (in excess of 1.6GHz) to compete with graphics workstations at the industrial end of the spectrum.
"The advantages of portability at this end of the marketplace are only now beginning to be felt," says Lu. "Giving users at this level the ability to be mobile - and take their work to another office or another country on their personal computers - will be of significant importance to organisations that are examining new-era work methods such as hot-desking and video conferencing," he added.
Toshiba has released what it claims to be the slimmest and lightest notebook in the world, at around 12mm. The unit, dubbed the Portege, is aimed at the buyer looking for "ultra-portability". This model range sets new benchmarks for compact packaging and - according to Lu - boasts the all-important "fashion" and "sexiness" factors, which are essential to the success of laptops at the cutting-edge of style.
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