James Delahunty
11 Apr 2006 20:57
Computer Manufacturer Fujitsu has announced it will become the first company to ship computers with integrated Blu-ray Disc drives. They will be available in Japan in June. The company also will release notebook PCs that include HD DVD drives; a safe move as it caters for both camps. The new desktop PC from Fujitsu will include a 37-inch LCD screen and will sell for around 600,000 yen ($5,063) according to a Fujitsu spokesman. The notebook will sell for 400,000 yen ($3,371).
Toshiba also unveiled plans this week to begin shipping HD DVD-enabled laptops by mid-May. They are expected to cost around the same as the Fujitsu models. NEC Corp. also revealed that it hopes to launch HD DVD-compatible personal computers by autumn this year and that it would consider offering PCs equipped with Blu-ray drives as well if there was demand.
The transition to next generation optical disc technology will be slow with very few early adopters, mainly due to the high cost of the new technologies. Most consumers will find switching to blue laser discs frustrating, especially since DVD has been so successful. The fact that there is a war between two competing formats doesn't help much either.
Source:
Reuters