Tech 2000 New year, new millenium, new resolutions . . . how about a new computer?

Another year, another fascinating chapter in the computer world.In 1999, we saw desktop computer prices take a nose dive,feather-light mininotebooks grow in popularity and PDAs withwireless Internet access come onto the scene. Now more than ever,specialized computing solutions exist for every possible user, fromthe desktop worker to the true road warrior to the occasionaltraveler just wanting remote access to the Internet and e-mail.

What can you expect from this arena in 2000? How will the boxsitting on your desk differ from years past? What niftymicrocomputer will you be carrying around next year? Many of thenew form factors of recent days will go mainstream next year. Andother computing concepts--well, we'll just have to wait andsee . . .

Heather Page is the former technology editor forEntrepreneur.

On The Desktop

Hold on to your hard drives: The PC in front of you will geteven bigger and better next year. Processors will get faster, harddrives will get bigger, and additional features will multiply likebunnies.

One thing that won't take on bigger proportions: price. PCsfor less than $1,000 will remain extremely popular, and prices forthe majority of other PC models are only expected to get lower.However, experts encourage small businesses to consider passing onthe current trend toward cheaper or even free PCs. The boxes thatthe majority of the small-business market should consider next yearwill start in the $1,200 range (including the monitor).

"PCs for under $1K are a nice price point on the consumerside," says Kevin Knox, research director with The GartnerGroup, an IT research firm. "But will most [small businesses]find PCs in the $500 and $600 range good systems to invest in andwork on down the road? Probably not. In most cases, you get whatyou pay for."

One of the factors contributing to the price of desktop PCs isthe current trend toward purchasing attractive, space-savingflat-panel monitors. Manufactured by NEC, Samsung and ViewSonic,among others, these thin monitors typically hover in the $1,000range or higher, and experts don't expect their prices to dropsignificantly any time soon. Even so, some say that flat-panelmonitors are starting to win over many PC owners, thanks to theirslimmer designs and environmentally friendly features.

Experts have differing opinions about the proliferation of flatpanels in 2000. "Flat-panel displays are going to become muchmore mainstream next year," predicts Rob Enderle, a PC analystwith market research firm Giga Information Group.

Knox doesn't think so. "These [LCD monitors] are stillvery high-end solutions," he says. "The 17-inch CRT[monitor] is going to be around for awhile until LCDs reach the$300 to $500 price point, which won't be for another two or twoand a half years."

Despite their high prices, flat panels are the best solution foremployees working long hours in front of their computers becausethey emit lower radiation than their CRT counterparts.Additionally, thin monitors are ideal for workplaces short onspace.

Computer monitors utilizing digital technology will also becomemore prevalent in the coming year. Many LCD monitors are usingdigital interfaces already, and a number of CRT manufacturers willrelease monitors with digital technology as well, making them muchmore plug-and-play.

Skinny Minis

In the notebook computer arena, thin is in. Notebookmanufacturers from Toshiba to Dell to Sony are pushing new lines ofultra-slim notebooks called mini-notebooks. Mininotebooks tip thescales at around 3 pounds and boast decent processors andmultimedia features. Some current examples: Dell's Latitude CSmininotebook (http://www.dell.com), Toshiba'sPortégé 3110CT (http://www.toshiba.com) and IBM'sThinkpad 240 (http://www.ibm.com).

Still, while experts expect to see skinny minis gaining inpopularity, they recognize they're not going to take the placeof users' notebook and desktop computers. They remain more of acomplement to other machines because they simply don't haveenough oomph to stand on their own as complete computingsolutions.

Before investing in these new models, take into considerationyou'll be making some significant trade-offs for their smallsize and weight, Knox says. Generally, their screens are too smallfor presentation use, and their processors aren't up-to-speedto run many leading applications. Plus, the smaller-sized keyboardis typically very cramped and difficult to work on.

Most likely, these shortcomings will improve next year. Still,Knox isn't truly sold on the latest crop of mininotebooks."Would I buy one for a small business?" he asks. "Ina small enterprise, where there's not a lot of money to bespent, this is a secondary device. In most cases, you'll haveto buy a desktop and one of these devices as well. You'll needboth for the utmost storage, function and portability."

Knox says if you're a mobile user, the best way to go iswith a standard laptop with a larger keyboard, better presentationfeatures and a heftier processor to get your work done. But if youwant something thin and light for occasional use in conjunctionwith your desktop computer, mininotebooks may be just the thing foryou. These are truly niche products for people who travel often anddon't need a full-featured notebook, yet still want something alittle more substantial than a handheld PC or PDA.

And Smaller Still . . .

Can't imagine carrying around a computer in your pocket?It's time to stretch your imagination. Experts predict WindowsCE and Palm OS-based handhelds and PDAs will become ubiquitoussmall-business tools in the coming months, thanks to their strongperformance, myriad new features and attractive price tags.

Expect a number of new manufacturers, including IBM andMicrosoft, to enter the handheld PC and palmtop market by year-end,Enderle says. In the coming months, these little organizers willonly improve in terms of their battery life, performance and price.Color displays will also become increasingly available.

However, keep in mind you'll sacrifice battery performanceto live in the land of color. Current models sporting color screensinclude the Compaq Aero 2100 (http://www.compaq.com) and theHewlett-Packard Jornada 420 (http://www.hp.com).

Increased functionality and improvements in design are makinghandhelds and PDAs a real hit on the business front."Executives love these devices," Enderle marvels."They have a longer battery life than laptops, they'recheaper and they're sturdier."

A handheld PC may become your best friend, but keep in mindthat, like notebook computers, these are secondary devices, andyou'll likely need more computing power to handle your generalbusiness tasks. Enderle says using a desktop computer as an adjunctto your PDA is quite possibly the best solution--even better thanthe desktop/laptop combination.

"These [two solutions] may be more reliable [than laptops]and offer better performance for the price," Enderle says."Plus, they're extremely portable devices. These factsprovide a more compelling argument for business users to look atthem in the coming year."

Of course, the decision is yours; if you're still using thestandard desktop computer and full-featured notebook, these mayvery well be the best solutions for you. But considering theabundance of options and improvements available, it's worthyour time and effort to investigate some of the new flat-panelmonitors, handhelds, palm tops and mininotebooks breaking onto thescene in 2000. You could be surprised by what they have tooffer.

You've Got Style

Once Apple asked the question "Why just beige?," therewas no turning back. PCs with slim casings, bright colors andall-in-one designs are making big waves in the computer world. Thisanything-goes design trend isn't specifically aimed at thesmall-business market, but it's certainly attracting a lot ofattention.

Ignited by the release of Apple's iMac last year, PCs withunique styles and colors like amethyst, topaz and sapphire willcontinue to roll out next year. All-in-one PCs--some of the mostnotable to date include Gateway's Profile PC and NEC's Z1compact, metallic box--will also become hot commodities. ThesePCs' typically slim designs often mean compromises on thetechnology under the hood. But for entrepreneurs who want to workin style, they'll certainly make an impact.

Contact Source

Giga Information Group, http://www.gigaweb.com