This IDC study examines portable PC preferences in home office households, with specific reference to designs, brands, and features being considered for future purchases. The 33.1 million home office households are more technologically savvy than households in general, and represent an important market for a variety of advanced products and services.

"Home office households continue to be an attractive market for PC vendors," says Merle Sandler, senior research analyst in the SMB and Home Office programs at IDC. "Although first-time buyers are increasingly rare, with penetration levels approaching 90%, portable PC penetration is only around 45% of PC households, and home office households continue to upgrade or add additional PCs, especially higher-margin portable PCs."