Two Taiwanese manufacturers will enter the burgeoning notebook PC market.
Asustek Computer and Shinlee Corp. are preparing to enter the notebook computer market, according to a report in the Commercial Times of Taiwan that was published by Nikkei Biztech.
Asustek, a major manufacturer of desktop PC motherboards, intends to start trial production of notebooks in the next few months. Shinlee, a company affiliated with Sony, will introduce notebook computers made by a partner in Taiwan, according to the report.
Asustek's new notebooks will feature Intel's upcoming 233-MHz Pentium with MMX for mobile computers and a 13.1-inch screen, according to the report. Priced from $4,000 to $5,000, the computers will also have a 2.1GB hard drive and a 20X CD-ROM drive.
The two companies are entering the notebook market when it is expecting heavy near-term growth. According to some estimates, global demand for notebook computers may exceed 14.4 million systems in 1997 and 20 million in 1999.
Shinlee is looking for a partner in Taiwan to produce notebook computers, with Sampo Technology a possible candidate, according to the report.