最近米国の友人(仮名)と超低価格パソコンについて興味あるやり取りをしたので抜粋を紹介したい。彼らは＄100PCといっているから1万円パソコンというところか。3年以内に途上国の教育用に実現しその後世界中に溢れるだろうという予測である。多分日米のODA援助が大口のスポンサーになるだろうというものである。
All, While reading this interview of AMD's CEO -copied for you some relevant sections, I found it amusing that when discussing the $100 computer he uses cell phones prices as an example to support his view. I believe those of us that spent a bit of time in the computer industry still remember the original PC prices -including the Lisa computer.
(Karl)
It's just a matter of time. MIT's professor announced to develop $100 PC mainly for education in developing countries recently. Some vendors have already announced the plan. Wal-Mart test marketed a $400+ PC for last X'mas sales. If everything (less any loyalty) is made in China, it could be possible within 3 years when they have their own parts and software. Its necessity is very clear, which leads to a huge demand. Market is there for people making $1000- a year in Asia, Africa and South America. There is a good possibility that US and Japan will pay for a big portion of the cost as ODA activity. Those cheap PCs will get across the rest of the world soon after that. This is my wild, wild
guess. Probability 30% just like Gartner does. What do you say? (Sandy)
Agree 100%. Sandy. It seem to me too that the sales model is fairly evident; the hardware will be cheap, while elements like software, parts and supplies is where the profit margins will compensate -kind of like the HP business model for printers, where the ink cartridges is where the revenue stream is strong. (Karl)
All, While reading this interview of AMD's CEO -copied for you some relevant sections, I found it amusing that when discussing the $100 computer he uses cell phones prices as an example to support his view. I believe those of us that spent a bit of time in the computer industry still remember the original PC prices -including the Lisa computer.
(Karl)
It's just a matter of time. MIT's professor announced to develop $100 PC mainly for education in developing countries recently. Some vendors have already announced the plan. Wal-Mart test marketed a $400+ PC for last X'mas sales. If everything (less any loyalty) is made in China, it could be possible within 3 years when they have their own parts and software. Its necessity is very clear, which leads to a huge demand. Market is there for people making $1000- a year in Asia, Africa and South America. There is a good possibility that US and Japan will pay for a big portion of the cost as ODA activity. Those cheap PCs will get across the rest of the world soon after that. This is my wild, wild
guess. Probability 30% just like Gartner does. What do you say? (Sandy)
Agree 100%. Sandy. It seem to me too that the sales model is fairly evident; the hardware will be cheap, while elements like software, parts and supplies is where the profit margins will compensate -kind of like the HP business model for printers, where the ink cartridges is where the revenue stream is strong. (Karl)
