Portable computers are rapidly replacing desktop machines in medium to large sized organizations, according to research conducted by analyst group International Data Corp. The Framingham, Massachusetts-based company predicts notebook PCs will exceed 30 million units by 2002, but while they are becoming more popular, organizations are facing an increasingly heavy repair bill. Current damage rates of portable computers stand at between 11% and 18% per department, but IDC expects this figure to rise. IDC uses the example of a large corporation with 1500 portable PCs in circulation, to highlight the problem. Based on assuming an annual damage rate of 8%, the organization can expect around 120 units to be damaged over a 12 month period. The average cost of one machine is calculated at $1,200 for the hardware, services support and loss of user productivity, which according to IDC is real cause for concern and a problem that can only escalate as portable PCs become more popular. The organization recommends products are thoroughly evaluated and rigorously tested before they are purchased.
