Business travelers and mobile professionals have benefited greatly from the portability and freedom enabled by ever-improving notebook PCs. Productivity has soared during the first phase of mobile computing, enabling users to complete self-contained computing tasks, such as spreadsheets, document creation, and batch email. These tasks were primarily conducted in a disconnected or intermittingly-connected state.
The current phase of mobile computing might be described as the “connected” state. Connection to private networks and the public Internet has become more pervasive in recent years, thanks to “Wi-Fi” hotspots that seamlessly link to robust WAN networks. In addition to self-contained computing tasks, business travelers and mobile professionals are increasingly conducting network-centric computing, such as ERP order entry and status, inventory checks, pricing checks, as well as real-time email and connection to the Web and Web services like Google.
Corridor Warriors
Importantly, persistent computing capability will not be limited to travel or time out of the office, but within the office as well. More and more companies are outfitting their corporate campuses and work environments with secure Wi-Fi networks enabling knowledge workers to carry their PCs with them throughout the workday. Users will no longer be tethered to their desks, freeing them to access information and communicate whenever and wherever they are located.
Persistent Computing Requires Extended Power
Wireless networking technologies like Wi-Fi have triggered a significant demand for power. We believe that users demand a convenient and longer-lasting power source to keep up with their work pace. Today’s dominant technology for laptop PCs—lithium-ion batteries—has not been able provide the energy for all-day computing capability. Equally important, many experts believe that lithium-ion technology is mature and is not expected to provide significant performance improvements in the years to come. This challenge is widely recognized, with companies like Intel spearheading an Extended Life Working Group to address the issues.
