House number: Attractive but price ... exorbitant

High-resolution TV models, super-gaming computers and high-end audio equipment on display at CES 2007 are all capable of stimulating the PC market. However, the price of "hand burns" will probably cause many customers to falter.

From state-of-the-art PCs to gaming microcontrollers and data storage devices, countless devices are "grabbing" the magic-filled "Digital Home" idea to earn profits.

At this year's CES exhibition, two HP and Dell computer makers did not make an appointment, and demonstrated the Dream Digital House model - made from a combination of computers, monitors, printers and TVs.

Many firms also switch to calling PCs "home servers" (such as Microsoft). Between a dense home of networked electronic devices, PC is the heart, the focal point. High-definition data streams, videos, TV signals, and digital music run back and forth, between this device and another device, from room to room.

Even hard drive manufacturers such as Seagate Technology and Hitachi also find the opportunity to do business in consumer electronics. Whether high-resolution video, digital photos or digital music, requires large memory. Last week, Hitachi even unveiled a hard drive model that broke every record when it reached 1TB capacity.

"Price - the bastard"

Source: AP However, all these dream perspectives have their prices.

HP's digital home-to-teeth model includes a supercomputer connected to a TV, allowing control of all lighting, air conditioning, security and entertainment systems in the home. However, its price is too harsh: USD 15,000.

Similarly, Dell also introduced its home entertainment system including the high-end XPS 410 PC, new-generation speakers, 27-inch flat-panel display and digital cable receiver, high-definition TV recording. Dell has not disclosed the price of this system, but certainly, it cannot be less than 5 numbers.

Even one of its latest gaming PCs, with special cooling technology (using ceramic and coolant solutions), has sold for up to $ 5,499, which is more than 10 times the price of a computer. often.

Neither Dell nor HP conceals the intention to use high-end electronics to drive up PC profits. If, in the past, Dell contributed to the cost reduction of the entire computer market thanks to the direct sales policy to consumers, now, the company has managed to sell expensive models.

Is it optimistic?

Despite the overwhelming price, both firms are confident that the Digital House will take off.

" The home network will become a reality, but in reality it is already realizing, " said Satjiv Chahil, HP's vice president of global marketing. " The computer industry is redefining itself, in a more compelling direction ."

Meanwhile, Dell's chief technology officer Kevin Kettler said: The technical barriers that once prevented connecting PCs, televisions, mobile phones, sound systems and game consoles have been removed in turn. during the past few years. "Our effort has come to fruition. The problem now is that we will connect to each other. "

American Technology Research analyst Wu said that if the forecast is based on the past, PC and component prices will fall after a towering period of time. Today, you can easily buy a computer for less than 350 USD, while 10 years ago, you could not hook a wallet for less than 2000 USD.

" Initially, computer manufacturers will benefit, but ultimately consumers themselves benefit most, " Wu said.

Trong Cam