Ninety per cent of notebook PCs sold worldwide will contain embedded WLAN in 2008, up from 24% in 2003, according to a new study by Strategy Analytics.
Global notebook PC penetration is currently very low, at just 1%, compared with 6% desktop PC penetration. However, new technology is expected to raise the profile of these devices and SA claims that in five years time, there will be 141 million WLAN-connected laptop computers.
“WLAN, and its potential to enable relatively simple, wire-free internet, intranet and remote data access, will be a key driver of new and replacement notebook PC sales through 2008,” said David Kerr, Vice President of the Global Wireless Practice at Strategy Analytics.
“Security concerns will, of course, remain a key issue, particularly in the on-campus enterprise segment. However, security concerns will inhibit wireless data usage rather than actual notebook sales, as powerful chip and PC vendors look to force WLAN connectivity into the enterprise channel,” he added.
North America will remain the largest market for embedded-WLAN notebook PCs for at least the next five years, according to the report.
