The milestone price of $100 (50) for a laptop isn't likely within the next three years, according to analyst house Gartner.
That goal was originally set by the One Laptop Per Child foundation, which designs cheap devices for educational use around the world. It has yet to create a $100 laptop; it released the XO for about $200 last year. OLPC has said its next version will cost $75, and claimed the price could fall to $20.
The XO device has spurred a move by the rest of the industry lead by Asus with its Eee PC to create cheaper devices, which have gone on sale here in the UK instead of just in emerging markets for which the XO was designed.
Gartner noted that all current low-cost, mini-notebooks cost significantly more than $100 and said it does not expect prices to fall for at least three years - despite OLPC's claim.
The increase in demand for cheap laptops paired with falling costs for components could mean mini-laptops fall in price by 10 to 15 per cent over that time period, but other costs such as assembly and software are likely to stay the same.
However, Gartner warned that price isn't the only issue or indeed the most important one. "The economic benefits of IT literacy in emerging markets are currently driving the push for the $100 PC but there are many open questions that remain," said Annette Jump, research director at Gartner.
"These include determining the relevant hardware specifications, power availability, availability and cost of internet connection, as well as providing adequate finance and payment options for emerging markets where funds may well be extremely limited," she added.
Here in the UK and in other mature markets, the mini-notebooks have already seen success. But Jump said they must be seen as mobile devices instead of solely as computers in order to continue to move into consumer and business areas. "Mini-notebooks will create opportunities to reach many buyers across all regions, both in mature markets as additional devices, and in emerging markets as PCs," said Jump.
-
Bigger salaries, more burnout: Is the CISO role in crisis?In-depth CISOs are more stressed than ever before – but why is this and what can be done?
-
Cheap cyber crime kits can be bought on the dark web for less than $25News Research from NordVPN shows phishing kits are now widely available on the dark web and via messaging apps like Telegram, and are often selling for less than $25.
-
AI PCs are set to surge in popularity in 2024, but vendors might find it hard to differentiate offeringsNews AI PCs are moving beyond the hype stage as analysts forecast significant signs of growth in this rapidly emerging market
-
The AI PC is coming: Here’s what you need to knowAnalysis Analysts believe a new wave of AI PC’s will spur increased tech spending in 2024
-
Waning hardware demand to wipe nearly $70bn from chipmaker revenuesNews The semiconductor market is feeling the impact of decreasing business hardware demand
-
Hardware shortages could plague 2017 smartphone salesNews Gartner: Samsung is top of the smartphone pile, while Apple sees a decline
-
Global PC shipments decline for fifth year running, says GartnerNews Hardware market continues inexorable decline as consumers rely increasingly on smartphones
-
Gartner: worldwide smartphone demand to slow in 2016News Decreased interest from new markets and more durable handsets will lead to market slowdown
-
Gartner & IDC disagree on PC market's Q4 performanceNews While one analyst reports growth, the other posts a decline in PC sales, but Lenovo still rules the roost
-
Wearable tech shipments set for 2015 dip in wake of smartwatch boomNews Gartner predicts slight downturn in fitness tracker shipments, as smartwatches steal their thunder
