Laptop buyers struggle with shortages

Article Abstract:

Consumers and computer distributors are frustrated by the acute shortages and high prices of advanced notebook computers, but manufacturers such as IBM, Toshiba and Compaq contend that component shortages and the difficulty of manufacturing notebooks hinders production. Manufacturers state that the torrid pace of technological change makes it difficult to plan production numbers for notebooks because they do not want to be stuck with unsellable, outdated models. Compaq faced the problem when it was stuck with old laptops in 1994 and 1995 consumers demanded more advanced models. Notebooks are more difficult to manufacture than desktop computers because of their smaller components. Display screens have been in short supply recently as Japanese and South Korean screen manufacturers upgrade their factories. Distributors claim that manufacturers could alleviate the shortages by allowing them to perform the final assembly of components such as hard drives and modems.

Microcomputers, Planning, Toshiba Corp., Product information, Compaq Computer Corp., CPQ, Prices and rates, International Business Machines Corp., IBM, Supply and demand, Laptop computers, Company product planning, Notebook computers, Product shortage, Shortages, Company pricing policy, Pentium-based notebook, Pentium based notebooks

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Dell takes another shot at selling to home-PC users; broader ad campaign sets its sights on hassle-free, second-time buyers

Article Abstract:

Dell Computer plans to surpass its position as the sixth-largest PC maker by increasing sales to home users. Dell hopes to expand its home-market by advertising in newspapers and magazines that appeal to general audiences. Dell is focusing on second-time buyers in an attempt to bypass the additional costs of technical support often attributed to first-time buyers. Dell hopes to meet its goals by increasing sales for its high-end servers and notebook PCs, which accounted for 23% of its sales revenue for the fiscal 3rd qtr ending Oct 1996. Dell is also basing management compensation and employee profit-sharing on its return on invested capital. The company is reducing the average time it spends producing a finished product after the initial purchase of parts from 31 days to 12 days. Dell is also taking advantage of Internet retailing by selling thousands of PC's through its Web site each week.

Electronic Computer Manufacturing, Computers & Auxiliary Equip, Microcomputers, Marketing, Internet services, Company internet strategy, Growth, Company marketing practices, Company growth, Home Computer Market

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How Sony turned a skinny laptop into an unlikely PC success

Article Abstract:

The success of Sony Corp.'s Vaio 505 notebook series computers is remarkable, considering the consumer-electronics giant's limited success in previous attempts to establish its brand of computers. The history of the model's development shows that Sony recognized that consumers want a certain style from a computer as well as powerful performance. Still, Sony faces large obstacles in marketing its PCs, especially in the U.S. The Vaio series is far more popular in Japan than in the larger U.S. market, where style is not quite as important as performance and price. Sony PCs sell less than a million units per year.

Product development, Japan, Hardware product development, Computer hardware, Sony Corp., SNE, Notebook computer, Sony VAIO PCG-505 SuperSlim Notebook (Notebook computer)

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