The notebook computer industry is one in which the product is commoditized
resulting in very low profit margins.  Thus, computer makers have to focus
on volume and reducing costs associated with production in order to ensure
profitability.   This leads to a highly competitive and volatile industry,
where two firms, Microsoft and Intel reap most of the financial rewards.
With the recent antitrust action involving Microsoft and new competition on
the horizon for Intel, their dominance of this market could be called into
question in the future.

In analyzing the notebook computer industry, we focused on several aspects
of the industry, including: the industry value chain, the U.S. trade
analysis, the primary corporate actors, marketing strategies, crucial
technologies, and finally, social & political issues.

In our analysis, we argue that the notebook computer industry is
moving toward a direct model of distribution where customization is the key
profit center of the industry.  In the future, the companies which will be
most successful will be those that embrace innovative product design and new
technologies, creative marketing and advertising campaigns, and
efficient and cost-minimizing and profit maximizing value chains.