Ultra-low-cost mobile PCs to drive growth
PC technology providers are seeking new growth opportunities in emerging markets, and this is fuelling industry interest in ultra-low-cost mobile PCs for educational purposes, according to Gartner.
Gartner analysts said more than six million ultra-low-cost mobile PC devices for the education segment are forecast to be shipped by the end of 2012. Such a volume of ultra-low-cost PC devices could provide a 40% uplift for education PC shipments in emerging regions.
Gartner estimates ultra-low-cost PCs will reach nearly one million units in 2008 and five million by the end of 2011. Volumes will remain limited this year as the first shipped units will be seed units used to test usage models and determine the usefulness of such devices.
"PC vendors that target governments and education organisations in emerging markets should have a plan for a limited launch of their own-branded ultra-low-cost PC models in Asia/Pacific and Latin America by the middle of 2008, or they will miss the early opportunities in the education segment with ultra-low-cost PCs," says Annette Jump, research director at Gartner.
Currently, there are two product concepts: Intel-based Classmate PC platform, and the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC). The OLPC initiative focuses on the provision of devices to children who do not have access to PCs.
Intel’s Classmate PC aims to reflect a broader vision that encompasses the classroom environment, including networking infrastructure, teacher training and curriculum materials.
"A classroom-focused approach by the PC Classmate will ultimately prove more effective in driving ultra-low-cost PC shipments," says Luis Anavitarte, research vice-president at Gartner. "Hardware alone is not enough; users will need software and education applications in local languages."
"While the primary target is publicly funded schools, privately funded schools also present opportunities for ultra-low-cost PC adoption. Programmes should address both types of schools, as it may provide a secure way to fund ultra-low-cost PC deployments in a given market.
"The success or failure of ultra-low-cost PCs will depend on the following six factors: government support and funding, Microsoft support, Intel and AMD support, attractive pricing, software and training in a local language, and support costs," Jump says.
For this hardware forecast, Gartner defines emerging markets as Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, and rest of Asia/Pacific.
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