The notebook computer market in 2020 can be said to be quite lively. For example, AMD has seized part of Intel's market share with its cost-effective processors, and Lenovo notebooks have become the number one in the market.
From the product level, some manufacturers have launched foldable notebooks, taking full advantage of the characteristics of flexible OLEDs, and bringing users an unprecedented interactive experience; many games have added high screen refreshes, further improving the equipment Fluency: Apple launched the ARM-based Mac, which has achieved partial intercommunication between different devices.
Time is fleeting, and soon we will usher in a new year. Based on the notebook computer market and product changes, we have made a wave of predictions for notebooks in 2021. What changes will they make? Let us look up to the sky together and make a calculation.
More ARM-based notebooks
Apple’s M1 version of the MacBook has shown its edge, injecting new vitality into the ARM-based notebook market, and also allowing more manufacturers to see the potential of self-developed ARM chips. In fact, Apple only promoted the development of ARM-based notebook computers, not the creator of such notebooks.
As early as 1993, Acorn launched the world's first ARM-based notebook computer-Acorn Pocket Book. And the first ARM notebook equipped with Windows system on the market was released in December 2016. At the WinHEC conference, Microsoft demonstrated a Windows PC based on the Snapdragon 820 platform.
However, Microsoft did not quickly bring Windows 10 on ARM to the market. Instead, it continued to cooperate with Qualcomm in depth. It was not until the end of 2017 that Windows 10 ARM notebooks based on the 835 platform were launched, and they were officially launched in early 2018.
We can see that ARM-based notebooks have been developed for so many years and have always been tepid. Even the M1 MacBook did not have a major impact on the entire market.
However, Apple's small test in the ARM notebook market has successfully aroused other manufacturers' interest in this notebook. Why do you say that, because Apple allows other manufacturers to see the interoperability between the ARM architecture and other devices, which is very difficult for X86 architecture notebooks.
Earlier, foreign media reported that in order to reduce dependence on Intel, Microsoft decided to develop its own chips. In addition, manufacturers such as Google and Amazon have also joined the camp of self-developed chips. If things go well, we may see more laptops with self-developed chips next year.
For manufacturers, self-developed chips can reduce costs, control the speed of product changes, and better build their own ecology. The Apple M1 MacBook is a typical case. Therefore, in 2021, we may see laptops equipped with self-developed chips other than Apple.
Widespread use of Windows 10X
When it comes to ARM-based notebooks, you have to mention Windows 10X. It is an operating system released by Microsoft in October 2019. It can be used for dual-screen devices (Surface Duo) and laptops.
In fact, it is more like a product born between a notebook and a tablet. This is like the concept of an ultrabook. The laptop and tablet are combined. Windows 10X also has a similar effect. You can think of it as the "mobile device" of the laptop, that is, the mobile phone and the laptop A combination. To put it simply, Windows 10X brings a lot of interactions and functions similar to mobile phones for notebooks, such as the standby mode of mobile phones. Windows 10X also has similar functions. Even if the computer is in hibernation, data can be downloaded in the background, including applications, Games etc. An ARM-based notebook with Windwos 10X may be a good choice.
Judging from the product features of Windwos 10X (real-time refresh of background data, fast wake-up of the device), it can just meet the current needs of use. The frequency of use of laptops has become higher and the scenes will be more abundant. The traditional operating system hasIt cannot meet the needs of quick response and immediate office work. Therefore, in the future, Windwos 10X will be parallel to Windows 10. Next year, you may see more laptops equipped with Windows 10X.
supports the removable Nano 5G SIM card
. Most of the notebooks are used in scenarios with WiFi networks, and occasionally the mobile phone is required to turn on the hotspot. Therefore, the demand for mobile networks is not high. But if you are a business person who travels frequently and you are mostly working outdoors, it is quite necessary for your laptop to support mobile networks.
Previously, Lenovo showed a variety of notebooks that support 5G networks at the CES 2020 conference. They can plug and unplug Nano SIM cards, such as ThinkPad X1 Nano, ThinkPad X1 Fold, and YOGA 5G.
Before the launch of the 5G notebook, if you want your computer to support the 5G network, there are three ways: 1. Buy a portable WiFi, and then connect the notebook to this network; 2. Turn on the hotspot on your mobile phone; 3. Buy a card reader and internet card, Plug it into your computer and download the corresponding software and drivers to go online. Compared with notebooks that support Nano 5G SIM cards, the above three methods are more troublesome and require users to purchase additional Internet accessories. As 5G is the main network technology in the next 10 years, it is believed that more manufacturers will launch 5G notebooks next year.
Screens with better visual effects
High-quality screens in the notebook computer industry in 2020 will be rapidly popularized, such as Lenovo YOGA 14s 2021, directly using 2.8K resolution/90Hz screens, low-end ThinkPad products, Huawei MateBooks that have always been criticized The D series will also use high color gamut screens.
In other words, by next year, you will see that there are many notebooks on the market with screens as one of the main selling points of the price range below 6000 yuan. They will no longer use cheap screens, but have better visual effects. Screen, and no increase in price.
In addition to higher-spec screens will be decentralized, new display technology will also be applied to notebooks. At this year's CES exhibition, Samsung, MSI and other manufacturers have taken the lead in showing laptops equipped with Mini-LEDs, but the product prices are generally high. Compared with OLED, Mini-LED has a higher dynamic range, better contrast and longer service life. In 2021, there may be more notebooks with Mini-LED screens on the market, and the price will drop compared to last year.
Of course, Mini-LED is just a transitional technology of Micro-LED. Next year, more manufacturers may launch notebooks equipped with Micro-LED screens, and the prices are too expensive. It takes one to two years to reduce costs. Earlier, there was news that Apple is accelerating the advancement of Micro-LED screens and may apply it to the new iPad, Apple Watch and Mac next year.
Further intelligentization of notebook computers
Nowadays, if electronic products do not have an AI technology, manufacturers are embarrassed to sell them. Intel has introduced AI technology since the 10th generation of Core, which can be used for photo enhancement, game sound effects, indexing and so on. Not long ago, Intel released the latest 11-generation Core, which brings users three core AI technologies, namely intelligent virtualization, intelligent noise reduction and intelligent radio.
For example, when you are using a notebook equipped with this chip for an online meeting, if the microphone does not have noise reduction function, the surrounding environmental sound may affect the call quality. At this time, you only need to use the AI function of Intel's 11th generation Core. Can achieve noise reduction. The main function of smart blur is to protect user privacy. For example, when you use a laptop live broadcast or video call at home, you can blur the picture behind you.
In other words, 2021 laptops will become smarter. Of course, AI technology is not limited to the CPU. The front lens of the notebook can also be used to achieve safer face unlocking; the backlight of the keyboard can also allow AI to automatically adjust according to the surrounding ambient light changes.
In addition, Intel also introduced the EVO certification standard. Devices that pass the standard will have faster response speed, stronger battery life, and a thinner and more stylish appearance. The fast response speed of
is mainly reflected in the notebook's Internet speed, data transmission speed, and the speed of opening the cover to brighten the screen.
Intel cooperates with battery scheduling manufacturers to optimize the hardware and software of the device by improving control accuracy and reducing circuit board power consumption, thereby further improving the endurance of the computer.
's thinner and lighter design is to meet the current trend of thin and light business notebooks. To this end, Intel has integrated a more powerful nuclear display in the 11th-generation Core, which can provide users with a better product experience.
Faced with the pressure brought by Intel, AMD should also take corresponding measures, such as adding similar certification standards to its own chips, and making more expansions on the original features of Intel EVO, so that it can be equipped with AMD's new generation U In the experience, the notebook does not lose to Intel.
In other words, notebooks in 2021 will receive features similar to the EVO certification standard, making the product's performance, battery life, and appearance design to a higher level. The above
are some of our predictions for notebooks in 2021. If you plan to change your computer in the near future, you might as well wait a while. CES 2021 will open soon. Manufacturers will show new notebooks. Perhaps among these new products, just If you have a product you like, you have to believe that the party will eventually greet victory and take your favorite trophy home.
