Notebook Computers: The Hottest Things Since Cellular Phones!

An eye-catching little device turned up at the Information Month Computer Show this year. It's no bigger than a hardback book and could easily pass for one if stashed away on a bookshelf. It's called a notebook computer.

The notebook computer measures 5.3 centimeters high, is as long and wide as a sheet of A4-size photocopy paper, and weighs just three kilos. With its thin, trim, slim physique, it has attracted the curiosity of countless interested customers ever since it was launched on the market.

Even more appealing is the fact that "it meets and even exceeds the capabilities of a desktop personal computer," says Houng-Ching Shyu, a section manager in the Electronics Research and Service Organization of the Industrial Technology Research Institute. "It's more than just an entire desktop PC shrunk in size. RAM memory, an EVA card and other accessories are all included in the design, without having to be added on."

Li Jo-sung, a reporter who writes on the computer industry for the United Daily News, brought one back to the office for himself. "I write my articles on a computer. I used to get halfway through and somebody would kick the plug out, and I'd have to start all over again. This one doesn't have a plug, and I can carry it with me and type wherever I go. My coworkers are all green with envy," he says smugly.

A genie of a device like this enables harried news workers to write finished copy on site and send it back to the office in one step. All they need to do is hook the computer up to a telephone line, and they can relay what they have written back to the office via modem. And editors and proofreaders no longer have to frown over messy sheets of scrawled characters as they did in the past.

The development of portable computers dates back ten years, in fact, but none of them, from models the size of sewing machines to laptops, managed to achieve the popularity expected of them. They were all too awkward to handle; even the lightest laptops are more than twice the size of a notebook computer. But with the further miniaturization of components, notebook computers--which have the same functions as desktops, along with a sharp screen, light weight and easy operation--have won over consumers handily.

"I made laptops for two years, and none of my employees wanted to buy one. But as soon as notebook computers came out, I had an employee ordering three at one time," says Dick Ma, the president of Modern Computer Corp., who confidently predicts a huge market for them.

Because their current price is more than NT$60,000, most of the demand at this stage comes from doctors, lawyers, accountants and other high-level professionals who work in more than one location.

At this year's Information Month Computer Show, however, interested buyers ran the gamut from the armed forces and the police to elected representatives. The potential in the domestic market is better than makers had foreseen.

"At future sessions of the Legislative Yuan, you may see government officials and representatives alike all using them," Ma says. That way they could receive information from advisers behind the scenes at the touch of a button.

With further advances in materials and technology, notebook computers will become even lighter. Two-kilo models are expected to come out later this year, and companies the world over are striving to bring out a one-kilo model by 1992. As long as the price falls further and the peripherals and software for them steadily increase, the dream of a computer in everyone's hands may become a reality.

But don't get excited too soon. When the time comes, no matter where you take them, you can never get away from your boss's "commands."

[Picture Caption]

With a notebook computer, you can work anytime, anywhere. Commuters stuck in traffic can even get their work done in the car!

(Left) How large is the market for notebook computers? "One for each and everybody," makers say.

With a notebook computer, you can work anytime, anywhere. Commuters stuck in traffic can even get their work done in the car!