Duty on screens could lift price of U.S. laptops

Article Abstract:

The federal government is expected to announce some sort of a import penalty decision concerning the importation of Japanese screens for use in the manufacture of US laptop computers. The consequences of such legislation would result in an increase in prices as virtually every major manufacturer relies on Japanese sources for the display screens. Another consequence may be the shifting of manufacturing abroad in order to sidestep the regulation. Under the proposed regulation there is no provision for preventing a company from importing the entire computer as opposed to the screen itself. Computer analysts point out that simple regulation would not solve the problem of display manufacture because US companies do not make the right kind of products. Japanese companies have reportedly invested billions of dollars in the development of the screens, whereas the US has failed to invest at all.

Laws, regulations and rules, Equipment and supplies, International trade, Manufacturing, Liquid crystal displays, Legislative process, Computer Industry, Government Regulation, Legislation, LCD Display, Price Increases

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Computer glitch: venture-capital star, Kleiner Perkins, flops as a maker of laptops; it raised cash for Dynabook but made a host of errors in trying to operate it: the 'rent-a-company' image

Article Abstract:

Kleiner Perkins Caulfield and Byers (KPCB) is a successful high technology venture capital company that not only invests well but also supports its partners' creation and management of computer companies. This unusual strategy is not working for KPCB's involvement with the laptop computer company Dynabook Technologies Inc. Some of KPCB's best people, who successfully started companies such as Sun Microsystems Inc and Genentech Inc, are involved in Dynabook's development, management and, unfortunately, its demise. Problems include continuing laptop computer and screen design failures, confusing and ineffective management, poor manufacturing techniques, problems with component vendors and extensive use of outside consultants and other temporary personnel. For these reasons, Dynabook is essentially being liquidated for about $5 million, despite a $37 million dollar investment.

Investors, not elsewhere classified, Management, Economic aspects, Investments, Venture capital, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Dynabook Technologies Inc.

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Order from chaos; computer industry divides into camps of winners and losers; balance of power is tilted by steady price declines and linking of machines; U.S. competitiveness grows

Article Abstract:

The dramatic shift in the computer industry, as underlined by the events and financial results of 4th qtr, 1992, has seen industry mainstays such as IBM flounder and newcomers such as Microsoft and Intel Corp prosper. The continually lowering prices of microcomputers combined with their increasing processing power has put companies with emphasis on mainframe computers in a precarious market position. Some observers predict that mainframes will eventually be replaced completely by networks of microcomputers. IBM, for one, has been reluctant to shift its business emphasis from mainframes to microcomputers because it does not wish to stem the sales being brought in by the larger computers. IBM, for the 4th qtr, recorded its first operating loss, and the biggest financial loss in US corporate history.

Industry Overview, Analysis, IBM, Forecasting, Connectivity, Networks, Industry Analysis, Outlook, Companies

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