What's new with notebooks in 2004?

What's screening?

The graphics hardware for notebooks has improved significantly over the past year. Dedicated 3D graphics chipsets now come with as much as 128MB of on-board memory, compared with just 32MB a year ago. This momentum is expected to carry on into 2004, with vendors eager to narrow the gap in 3D graphics and multimedia performance between notebooks and desktops. Already in the pipeline for early 2004 is Nvidia's GeForce FX Go5700, which is targeted mainly at gaming notebooks.

To accommodate the higher screen resolutions and intensive multimedia applications, many notebook makers have started to introduce bigger screens, with some as large as 17in. and offering a widescreen aspect ratio. Although we do not expect screen sizes to increase any further this year, given the portability limit of the system, we do foresee more widescreen notebooks. And if things go according to Sharp's plans, we may also be looking at 3D screens as an option on notebooks by the end of the year -- currently, this is only available on Sharp's Actius RD3D notebook.

Improved storage

With prices of 2.5in. notebook hard drives expected to drop further in 2004, many manufacturers will be offering higher-capacity storage in their upcoming systems. Increasingly, vendors will also be turning to 1.8in. hard drives in a bid to further reduce the size of ultraportable notebooks, as with the Toshiba Portégé R100. Power users can watch out for faster notebook hard drives running at 7,200rpm, up from the usual 5,400rpm or 4,200rpm.

CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drives will slowly be replaced by DVD+RW or -RW drives (or both) as a standard package in notebooks, as production goes into full gear. Expect also to see optical drives half the size of current models, as well as smaller multi-format memory card slots in new thin-and-light notebooks.

Built for the long haul

The Centrino platform has proven that, with the right combinations of chipsets, the battery performance of notebooks can be considerably improved. This should spur other manufacturers to collaborate and research new ways to increase battery life. Unfortunately, fuel cell technology is still some years away from commercialisation, with only a few manufacturers such as Toshiba showing off prototypes at electronics shows.

Going wireless

Wi-Fi will continue to find its way into most notebooks, with the next generation of the Centrino chipset expected to come equipped with dual-band wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g). Increasingly, Bluetooth will also be offered as an integrated option in notebooks. Meanwhile, rumour has it that a wireless USB standard is in the works.

Slim form factor

With smaller hard drives, tinier chipsets and more energy-efficient processors in place, we can all expect to see smaller and slimmer notebooks in 2004, if the recently launched Sony VAIO PCG-X505 notebook in Japan is any indication.

Apple's first tablet PC?

According to the grapevine in the Mac forums, Apple may be introducing its first tablet PC this year, which is targeted at graphics designers. It’s said the Mac tablet can double as a digital media hub that can be connected to the TV and PC. Considering Apple's traditional product design, one wonders what the final product will look like -- if it actually appears.

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