One trend Parks Associates is seeing is that a second, less expensive PC is generally being brought into the home solely for Internet access. Online access is also driving the need for networked PCs in the home. For example, parents need access for business purposes and children need it for studying. Home offices are driving the need for multiple PCs in the home. The percentage of homes with multiple PCs is expected to almost double between 1998 and 2002.
Internet usage is another reason people are purchasing more than one PC for the home.
It's done in business every day. The only reason it's not done more often is the home is because the technology has been too costly and too complicated to install. That would mean utilizing existing phone lines to transfer data. We're seeing multiple drivers in this market, including the multiple PC household and rising Internet penetration.