Industry analyst Tim Bajarin picks Apple and Sony as the two current manufacturers of desktop computers most like to survive or emerge to “eventually own the consumer markets for next generation of PCs and other digital devices that drive the digital lifestyle.”
“Although Apple has only Mac-based machines today, it could eventually bring out its own PDA as well as other Apple-branded products that are part of the digital lifestyle,” he writes in an online analysis for ABCNews.com. “And while Sony has not been known as a top tier player in consumer PCs to date, their new models integrating TVs and computers — as well as using a PC to control music, video, digital cameras, etc. — are clearly aimed at consumers. Plus, Clie, its hand-held PDA, is on track to become the next Walkman. In both Apple’s and Sony’s case, each already has command of major mind share as a consumer brand and can ride this strong market position into the digital homes of the future.”
Bajarin feels that the next two years see a makeover in the personal computer industry as corporate sales heat up and home computer and consumer technology markets evolve slowly. But over the next 10-15 years, the move from analog to digital technology will be in full swing and “the PC business is going to be changed forever,” he said.
The analyst predicts that IBM, Compaq, Dell and possibly Hewlett Packard will continue to shift most of their efforts towards corporate markets. And he won’t be surprised if Compaq eventually gets out of the consumer hardware business altogether. The only products Compaq may continue to sell to consumers will be their laptops — “the only segment of the market that is still growing,” he added.
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