Beyond VoIP TMC

The Time is Ripe for VoIP-Enabled PCs and Laptops

May 23, 2006

A couple of years ago, I started wondering when PC and laptop makers would start building and selling lines of PCs and laptops that were optimized for VoIP -- with a choice of pre-tested, certified and pre-installed software, broadband wireless cards, softphones, headsets, etc. that would make it easy for buyers to "plug and call" without the need to engage in self-installation. I envisioned a model similar to the now common practice of offering sign-up options for ISPs provided on the desktop of most new computers -- you know, the Get AOL, Earthlink, MSN, etc. icons that come preloaded on systems -- but obviously much broader to include related VoIP hardware, VoIP-ready components and distinctive marketing campaigns.

With the latest news about the projected growth of mobile VoIP users, I would think this market opportunity is getting quite ripe. There have been a few news items about laptops that include built-in VoIP features, such as an Acer laptop with a built-in Bluetooth card with integrated speaker, and I seem to remember a new line of laptops launched recently by a company I can't remember and can't find on a Google search. (If you know what I'm talking about, please comment!)

Anyway, I think it's only a short matter of time before some of the boutique computer builders, and even the 800-pound gorillas such as Dell and HP, start offering special VoIP-enabled PC and laptop product lines.


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» Dell Adds Skype to XPS Laptops from Beyond VoIP
It seems that as soon as you can think of something, the market responds with an answer...Recently, I blogged about VoIP-enabled PCs and laptops, and a short time ago I rec'd news about a recent deal between Skype and Dell... [More]

Tracked on May 31, 2006 2:37 PM

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