Compaq and US Firms Shift to Service-Based Computer Distribution

Will the provider give away computers? According to Compaq and other American manufacturers, in the near future, computers will not be bought but supplied to users by providers: in return, a percentage of the profits related to network access will be paid to the manufacturers.

New distribution strategies

Since the profits from hardware sales are now declining, Compaq has already taken steps in this direction, establishing agreements with providers and e-commerce sites.

In exchange for facilitated access, also through the inclusion of a toolbar with partner sites, Compaq will receive a percentage for each connection made by its computer.