Users can expect a great deal of activity and change within the mobile and wireless/digital lifestyle space in 2008.
The notebook, from entry-level to high-end professional, is gaining popularity from an ever-increasing wide user base - individuals who see the potential in the device as a desktop replacement and a key business tool for the mobile professional.
Intense interest by consumers, a higher level of awareness and understanding, improved access and lower pricing is helping to ensure this market remains one of the fastest growing segments of the information, communication and mobile digital lifestyle space.
Ongoing research and development has helped to ensure manufacturers focus on new designs and new approaches in order to ensure advantages of mobility, portability without sacrificing on functionality.
There is renewed focus by technology manufacturers on the incorporation of performance-enhancing technologies/laptop architecture. The market is moving quickly towards the adoption and use of multi-core mobile solutions.
While it is clear that thin, lightweight solutions will dominate the broad consumer notebook market, service providers and resellers will not miss the opportunity to introduce a number of other key features that impact on user experience.
Clearly the increase in speed, development in terms of size, clarity and resolution in monitors, as well as increased capacity of hard disk drives, is all contributing to the overall functionality and use of the product. The notebook now holds appeal among mobile workers, gamers, students and others.
Factors like extended battery life, DVD writers and re-writers, additional ports, 3G, and processing power are all taken into consideration.
Buying trends, especially among first time investors, is to go for higher capacity specifications - notebooks that facilitate high volume data storage and multimedia applications.
More emphasis will be placed on processor speeds, and major international technology vendor companies will maintain efforts to establish and further entrench the move to multi-core computer processing.
There is likely to be more prominence placed on connectivity and influential technologies such as VOIP, HSDPA, and a surge in practical aspects and convenience of products in this space, such as portability, weight and design. The focus will be on wireless applications, access to wireless technology and security.
Manufacturers will take advantage of the approach in new design features (such as opportunities to personalise product with replaceable notebook covers in order to suit a wider profile of user groups) and there is likely to be more emphasis placed on the principle of 'anywhere/anytime' computing.
Local consumers are far more tech-savvy and there is a need to offer more than simply a good deal on a notebook stands - there is a vested interest to offer complete packages, with additional value-adds like Internet connectivity, specials on digital lifestyle devices and more.
Decisions to invest in mobile technology are not based exclusively on price alone.
Vendors are keeping up with solution roadmaps prescribed by market leaders, including AMD and Intel, through ongoing R&D, by issuing samples for testing and through solid, reliable manufacturing.
The anticipated release of Microsoft's SP1 during the first quarter of 2008 is likely to push up notebook sales.
Consumers should anticipate greater impact of aspects such as green computing, sleek and sophisticated design, and multimedia solutions.
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Established in 1997, Sahara Computers assembles and markets PCs and peripherals through a global distribution network that covers both established and emerging markets.
The company is an official distributor and original equipment manufacturer for a variety of top international vendors, including AMD, Creative, Delta, Epson, Foxconn, Intel, Lexmark, Maxtor, Microsoft, Samsung, SMC Networks and Symantec.
The core focus of Sahara's operation is the consistent and effective supply of product to rapidly expanding market sectors including corporate, government, digital lifestyle and mobile and wireless.
This operation is managed via the company's head office in Midrand, Gauteng, considered a central business hub. The Sahara business network stretches across South Africa and includes Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.
Sahara Computers has successfully extended its reach to key regions and emerging global markets including Dubai, China and India. The Sahara brand is also well known across Africa, with established company presence in countries like Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique and Namibia.
Sahara is also an accredited member of the Proudly South African campaign as well as the SAVANT global SA brand awareness initiative. Corporate social responsibility is a key priority and it continues to contribute towards projects and programs aimed at individual and community upliftment.
The name Sahara is widely associated with the development of sport, including soccer, cricket, and rugby, the support of ICT literacy and skills development initiatives, and access to much needed technology in rural areas.
Amongst the many sponsorship/technology supply agreements in place, Sahara also concluded a deal with Mamelodi Sundowns, a top ranking soccer club competing in South Africa's Professional Soccer League.
The sponsorship is underpinned by the provision of communications infrastructure and mobile technology - including laptops, notebooks and digital lifestyle technology - and signals Sahara's commitment to the club and South African soccer in general.
Effective marketing and generating awareness are significant elements of the company's ongoing marketing campaign.
Under the direction of Atul Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of Sahara, the company is on course to realise its vision of Sahara's vision to become a truly global brand and premier IT supplier throughout Africa.
For more information on Sahara Computers, its products and services, visit www.sahara.co.za.
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