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View Full Version : Pocket PCs coming in at the $299 sweet spot

Ed Hansberry
10-09-2002, 02:00 AM
<a href="http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,105678,00.asp">http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,105678,00.asp</a><br /><br />But at what price? Dell, ViewSonic and HP all have lower end Pocket PCs on the horizon that should be in that $300 zone but some are concerned about the functionality. I am really not sure what these people are worried about. A base Pocket PC has a certain amount of features that will be included. Pocket Office, Windows Media, headphone jack, voice recorder, etc. They can cut things like the amount of RAM, the color depth of the screen or the type of expansion possible, but they aren't cutting out those features that are a hallmark of all Pocket PCs. Rest assured when you buy a Pocket PC, you'll have handwriting recognition, rich audio, a rich set of applications and a backlight. Its like the slogan says. "Software Matters." You'll have the hardware to back it up!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2002/20021008-softwarematters.jpg" />
Foo Fighter
10-09-2002, 07:02 AM
My biggest concern is whether or not these devices can really turn the tide. My belief has always been that cost is the single greatest roadblock to widespread consumer adoption. No matter how many bells and whistles a PDA platform has, it matters not, if the entry price is $599. But maybe OS preference plays a more important role. Just as it does in the PC market, where Macs and PCs are concerned. This may be Microsoft's last time at bat. If these $299 PPCs fail to achieve success, then there really is little hope for this platform to ever grow beyond its niche.
Ed Hansberry
10-09-2002, 07:06 AM
then there really is little hope for this platform to ever grow beyond its niche.
Good grief. :roll: By any count, Pocket PC is above 20% worldwide and some areas (Europe) well above 30%. That isn't a niche. Apple is a niche product at &lt;5%. Lotus 1-2-3 is a niche. Netscape is a niche. The Treo is a niche. The Blackberry is a niche. The Pocket PC is not a niche item.
Foo Fighter
10-09-2002, 07:09 AM
The Pocket PC is not a niche item.

It is in the US. And Palm has been gaining back some marketshare from PPC.
Ed Hansberry
10-09-2002, 07:12 AM
The Pocket PC is not a niche item.

It is in the US. And Palm has been gaining back some marketshare from PPC.
NOt based on Q2 results. I haven't seen Q3. And I don't consider 20%+ a niche. It is an awfully big niche if it is one. :D

I guess we should look out for all those $99 Zire's though. :roll: