Mobile computing more affordable, accessible

The proliferation of mobile product, incorporating PDAs, laptops, notebooks, mobile phones, mp3 players, USB flash memory and more, has quite literally changed the way we live and work. The shift in computing from the desktop to mobile has had a tremendous impact on South Africa's socio-economic development.

One of the key reasons is because this technology promotes access and is not limited by conventional boundaries including geographic location, available resources and cost. It encourages higher levels of productivity and is therefore an asset to businesses.

Companies are readily investing in the concept of a mobile worker as an extension of the business.

Designed to be practical

Laptops and notebooks to support the mobile worker are designed to be practical (the emphasis being on smaller, lightweight but robust material) and multi-functional with, in most cases, quick, reliable connectivity, CD/DVD writer facility, extra ports for peripheral devices, easy navigation and extended battery life.

The notebook or laptop has become the foundation upon which many a user bases their communication infrastructure. The mobile professional can send and receive mail, print, make copies and store information without limitation. The architecture within laptops and notebooks, where these devices are used as the foundation for a mobile office, is geared towards performance. Vendors continue to invest heavily in research and development around technologies such as dual core processing, in order to ensure higher performance for users.

Driven by user requirements

In addition to development within the notebook and laptop space, the digital lifestyle market is being driven by requirements from users who want to expand their home networking and home entertainment systems. To illustrate, the liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor environment is bullish and the increased level of activity will help to lower prices and improve levels of access to the technology. LCD compliments the mobile and wireless world and is fast overtaking CRT as the visual technology of choice.

In addition, manufacturers are now paying attention to the value that tablet PCs can offer the mobile enthusiast. The user has the choice to use conventional keyboard and text application or physically write directly onto the monitor and rely on the PC to decipher the handwritten text. With time and consistent use, the PC is able to recognise hand writing and present it in text format with ease.

Much of the demand for faster, more robust, multi-functional digital product stems from digital lifestyle enthusiasts. This segment of the market is helping to create higher levels of competition and secure a reduction in prices. This is also where many service providers, vendors and resellers are able to make their margins.

Product is becoming more affordable and more accessible for the consumer. This bodes well as far as the overall intention to empower a new digital generation.