November 18, 2002 (Computerworld) --
Steal a notebook computer from McKesson Corp. and you may be surprised to find that the data on its hard drive has self-destructed in your hands. "We have a security application that says things like, 'Too many failed log-in attempts, nuke the data,' " says Bruce Kantelis, vice president for mobile computing at McKesson in Alpharetta, Ga.
Giving central IT shops the ability to reach out to mobile computers - to destroy stolen information before it can be read, update applications automatically or repair damage from viruses and other causes - is just one of the trends that will reshape the portable PC over the next five years.
Meanwhile, notebook processors will double in power every two years, to 12 GHz in five years, predict industry observers. Disks will shrink and may be replaced by solid-state memory. Displays will grow clearer, brighter and more energy-efficient and may even unfold to desktop size.
The efficiency of batteries will improve, but perhaps not enough to keep up with power-hungry applications such as multimedia and wireless communications.
Overall, the future of portable computers lies along two axes, as defined by the work habits of users.
"For some, the notebook is primarily a desktop in the office and a notebook at home," says Kantelis. "Then you have the real traveler, the road warrior."
Computer makers say they'll differentiate their products for those two groups. For the mostly office-bound user, they plan to make and portables with large screens, the most powerful CPUs, limited battery life and docking stations. Road warriors will get smaller and lighter units with all-day batteries but less powerful processors.
Strange and wondrous hybrids will hit the market, too, but most will quickly disappear or find niche applications. But whatever type of portable PC they prefer, users will be the winners because they'll see more choices, more capabilities and lower prices.
Form and Function
Tablet PCs will take several forms, including this "single slab" style from Taiwan's PaceBlade Technologies.
Tablets, a third category of portable PC, will soon join notebooks and subnotebooks. "It's the middle ground between the traditional clamshell notebook design and the small form factor designs like PDAs," says Matthew Wagner, product marketing manager at Hewlett-Packard Co.
Microsoft Corp. is beating the tablet drum, recently introducing the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system (see story). HP and others plan to offer devices based on XP Tablet by the end of the year.
A Tablet PC is about the size of a legal pad and includes a digital pen for handwritten data entry and navigation. Its advocates say it will be just the thing for the most mobile workers, including
"In Friday's IT Blogwatch, Richi Jennings watches VCs advise their startup companies to hunker down for a bad recession. Not..."
Read more...
"On the 60's TV comedy show, Hogan's Heroes, Sgt. Schultz could always get away with saying, ""I see nothing, nothing!"..."
Read more... Read more Hardware posts or See all Blogs
One positive development stemming from the collapse of Wall Street may be a boost in interest in computer science and IT careers among students who were previously interested in financial services jobs.
(Source: Computerworld) Whether it's in the front office or the server room, green thinking can save energy, trees and money. From the Editorial Staff at Computerworld, here's the latest thinking on greening your operations. Download this executive briefing
Virtualization Everywhere
Download this white paper, free, compliments of Citrix. (Source: Citrix) Adoption of virtualization is concentrated among large enterprises, while adoption by mid-sized companies has been much slower. For these companies, the cost and complexity of server virtualization solutions has been a barrier.
In this paper, we'll discuss how Citrix XenServer" provides simple, economical server virtualization for any size company. Download now!
Attend this online-only virtual event to discover:
How other IT executives are using virtualization to transform their server and desktop infrastructures
Tips and advice from real world implementations and case studies
Unparalleled access to influential industry experts
And the opportunity to network with peers and visit with vendors.
This exciting event happens on October 22, 2008 from 10am - 6 pm ET / 7am - 3pm PT. Visit the show floor now
Get Into Gear! Check out our new personal technology section -- TechGear -- for the latest on those cool gadgets that you just gotta have! Host Mike Elgan provides hands-on reviews and analysis of the stuff that makes IT fun.
Head to TechGear
See your link here
Subscribe to
Computerworld 
Download this white paper, free, compliments of Citrix. 
Long Tail Supplier Collaboration - What's In It For You? 
Read up on the latest ideas and technologies from companies that sell hardware, software and services. 
Get Into Gear!
