Laptop add-ons rise to the challenge
Sales of higher-priced, discretionary products have taken a hit at retail this spring, but that hasn’t been the case with laptop computers. And as the industry transitions away from bulky desktops, suppliers are creating more accessories specifically for laptops.
That’s because sales trends show laptops are the wave of the future, with sales increasing 21% in 2007 (according to Gartner Research) and accelerating, and jumping 41% during the fourth quarter. Laptops are expected to outsell desktops for the first time this year and drive the 10% increase in overall sales projected for 2008.
In comparison, desktop sales fell 4% in 2007 and are expected to decline steadily the next several years, with laptops projected to capture 70% of total computer sales by 2011.
One accessory that’s just beginning to show up in laptops is Blu-ray high-definition DVD drives. Sony has one in its high-end T8100 laptop and is expected to build them into more models this year.
Also entering the Blu-ray arena is Acer, which has a Blu-ray drive in its new Aspire laptop line that features an 18-inch screen with 1080p high-definition resolution. The laptops, which will range in price from $900 to $1,700, also have a socket for an HDMI cable and six speakers with a subwoofer for true home theater sound.
Blu-ray drives are also expected to start showing up in Macs and other models by the end of 2008 to replace standard DVD drives. Sony has been in talks with several leading suppliers since winning the high-definition DVD format war in February.
Web cameras are a standard part of many laptops, but accessory cameras are still a hot product for people with older laptops or those who want better quality video. For travelers who need a smaller camera, Digital Gadgets has its new Ultimate Foldable Portable Web Camera.
“It’s one of the smallest Webcams on the market and can be folded and adjusted to shoot from any angle,” said Gary Levy, national sales manager for Digital Gadgets. “And you won’t see any other product like it out there because we’re the first ones on the market.” The 2-megapixel camera is due out in May.
LogiTech delivers similar video quality with its Quick Cam Pro. The 2-megapixel camera features a clip that attaches easily to most laptop and notebook computers and includes extras like autofocus and facial tracking.
The need for additional memory is also driving the market for portable hard-drives and other storage devices. Iomega recently introduced its Ego portable hard drives that are about the size of a flask and store 160GB. The units also come in a variety of colors that match the color palettes of computer makers like Apple and Dell.