Ideally, the creation of a wireless environment will also prompt upgrade cycles. "Marketing of wireless hot spots will prompt consumers to look for notebooks with integrated wireless," IDC's Promisel said. "It adds another element for the potential buyer to consider." To this end, Intel will release 1.9GHz and 2GHz Pentium 4-M processors for notebooks as well as a trio of Celerons for budget portables. As expected, the new 2GHz chip will be offered by a wide range of notebook makers for prices starting at less than $2,000, Intel representatives said. The three new mobile Celerons run at 1.33GHz, 1.4GHz and 1.5GHz and come in notebooks selling for $1,299. HP has redesigned its entire Compaq Computer Evo notebook line and will announce several new models at the show, including two thinner, lighter Evos weighing less than 5 pounds each with the new chips. The new Evo N410c, which weighs 3.5 pounds and measures less than an inch thick, will use a 1.2GHz Pentium III-M processor from Intel and offer a 12.1-inch display. The machine, a mini-notebook similar to Dell Computer's X200 Latitude, includes a bay for a CD drive or an extra battery to extend battery life. It will start at $2,149. A second Evo, the N610c, will be heavier, at 4.8 pounds, and offer Intel's 1.9GHz Pentium 4-M processor and a 14.1-inch screen. It will also start at $2,149, offering greater processing power at the expense of some portability. Both machines will use Compaq's MultiPort, a wireless networking port that supports either 802.11b or Bluetooth. New HP iPaq handhelds, another Compaq inheritance, will also come out at the show. Toshiba will unveil new wireless notebook models, including a Tecra and Satellite Pro with the faster 2GHz processors from Intel. Toshiba has recently revamped its consumer notebook line, adding wireless networking to all of its new models. Toshiba has also introduced new 802.11b wireless servers for companies and households and a new e740 Pocket PC with the wireless technology integrated.
Networks and networking products have seen huge innovation and growth in the last few years. High bandwidth LANs and Storage Area Networks are now in common use. ZDNet UK's Networking Central keeps you up to date with the latest news and views.
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