Given the rate at which mobile technology is changing, including on laptops, it is going to become harder and harder for users to stay abreast of the latest technology, prompting a trend towards renting - especially when it comes to high-cost items such as laptops.
This is according to Christopher Riley, general manager of The Notebook Company (www.notebook.co.za). Riley said "a significant" portion of the company`s revenues now come from renting laptops. "We are seeing a strong upward curve here - and I think it is going to increase. Users are tired of spending at least R15 000 on a reasonable laptop only to find out that, six months later, they are sitting with aged technology. The cost of upgrading is also often seen as punitive."
He said by renting laptops, users are able to upgrade frequently without having to dig deeper into their pockets.
"There are pros and cons to both situations, but I do believe that renting will become almost the norm in the next few years."
The Notebook Company sells a wide range of brand-name laptops, including IBM, Toshiba, Compaq, Mecer and Acer.
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