World wants small, cheap PCs, say makers of small, cheap PCs

Eee by gum

By Tony Smith • Get more from this author

11th April 2008 08:04 GMT

World+Dog wants small, cheap computers, companies making small, cheap computers have claimed.

First Asus, manufacturer of the popular elfin laptop, the Eee PC. According to a DigiTimes report, Asus President Jerry Shen this week forecast that global shipments of small, cheap computers would hit 10m units this year.

In 2009, shipments will jump to 20m units, he said - a 100 per cent growth rate.

Asus Eee PC and friend: desired globally

Chip maker Intel is particularly keen to drive the small, cheap computer market having just launched a line of processors to power small, cheap computers. The company behind the Atom brand recently predicted that the category will see double-digit year-on-year growth over the next three years.

Come 2011, annual worldwide small, cheap computer shipments will hit 47m units, Intel told notebook manufacturers. Through handheld internet devices into the mix, and the total jumps to 100m units, the chip giant said.

No wonder VIA and Intel want in on all this small, cheap computer action.