Leading PC Manufacturers Announce Support for Easy PC Initiative

Strategic Insights -

Today at the Windows(R) Hardware Engineering Conference and Exhibition (WinHEC) 99, Microsoft Corp. and Intel Corp. unveiled the Easy PC Initiative, a multiyear vision to improve the overall experience for PC users by making them easier to set up, expand, and use. The initiative was outlined by Microsoft President Steve Ballmer, who stated that the PC industry has made great strides in making the PC easier and more accessible, with nearly 50 percent of American households having a PC.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Easy PC Initiative is a multiyear vision co-developed by Microsoft and Intel to improve the overall experience for PC users by making them easier to set up, expand, and use.
  • Leading PC manufacturers, including Compaq, Dell, Fujitsu, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Micron, NEC, and Toshiba, have announced their support for the initiative.
  • The initiative focuses on four key areas: ease of setup, ease of expansion, ease of use, and new form factors.
  • Key features of the initiative include preconfigured connectivity, automatic configuration with a single phone call, USB technology for external expansion, Instantly Available/OnNow for quick resume time, and reductions in legacy hardware.
  • Microsoft and Intel have worked closely with industry partners on enhancements to the PC platform, including USB and Instantly Available/OnNow via the System Design Guides.
  • The first step in delivering on this vision is the Microsoft(R) Windows 98 Second Edition operating system, which will improve the initial out-of-box experience for users. A planned consumer version of Windows due in 2000 will further realize the vision of the Easy PC Initiative.

Statistics:

  • Nearly 50 percent of American households have a PC, indicating progress in making the PC easier and more accessible (Source: Microsoft).
  • The initiative has received support from leading PC manufacturers, including Compaq, Dell, Fujitsu, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Micron, NEC, and Toshiba (Source: Microsoft and Intel).
  • The Easy PC Initiative is a multiyear vision, with the first step being the development of new PC prototypes by the end of this year and the planned consumer version of Windows due in 2000 (Source: Microsoft and Intel).
  • The initiative focuses on four key areas: ease of setup, ease of expansion, ease of use, and new form factors (Source: Microsoft and Intel).

Sources:

  • PR Newswire, "Microsoft and Intel Unveil Easy PC Initiative to Make Computing Easier for Everyone" (April 7)
  • Microsoft Press Release, "Microsoft and Intel Unveil Easy PC Initiative" (April 7)
  • Intel Corporation, "Intel and Microsoft Unveil Easy PC Initiative" (April 7)
  • Microsoft Corporation, "About Microsoft" (http://www.microsoft.com/pressroom/)
  • Intel Corporation, "About Intel" (http://www.intel.com/pressroom/)