The rise & ubiquity of portable computers

Grader A: hit

Notebook PCs passed desktop PCs in worldwide unit shipments in Q3 2008 (38.6M vs 38.5M, iSuppli). Mobile phones also far outnumbered PCs. Portable devices were the primary new computers by 2009.

Test: At least 50% of new PC units: notebooks were about 50% of PC shipments in Q3 2008 and rising.

• Notebook PCs Outsell Desktops, First Time Ever (PCWorld, iSuppli data) (2008-12): Q3 2008 notebook shipments 38.6M exceeded desktops 38.5M for the first time.
• Wireless Internet Use (Pew Research Center) (2009-07-22): 39% of all Americans had used a laptop to go online wirelessly; 32% had gone online with a mobile device.

Grader B: hit

Worldwide notebook shipments passed desktop shipments in Q3 2008, and smartphones added more portable computing on top. By 2009 most new personal computers were portable.

Test: New-unit test: notebooks >50% of PC shipments from Q3 2008 (38.6M vs 38.5M).

• Notebook PC shipments exceeded desktops for first time in Q3, iSuppli reports (EDN) (2008-12): Q3 2008 worldwide: 38.6M notebooks vs 38.5M desktops; first quarter notebooks led.
• Pew: Wireless Internet Use (2009-07-22): 56% of US adults had gone online wirelessly (39% via laptop, 32% via mobile device) by April 2009; 19% mobile daily.