A high percentage of laptop users in Saudi Arabia use their laptops for educational purposes, according to a survey released by Intel. Fifty-six percent of respondents said that they use their laptops for this purpose, a figure that exceeds the regional average by 16 percent. In addition to education, users also cited e-mail and Internet surfing as key reasons for using their laptops.
The laptop survey was carried out by Paradigm Research in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and the UAE, polling some 300 users from all walks of life, two years after the introduction of Intel’s Centrino mobile technology in the Middle East.
“This finding proves that Saudis are increasingly looking at their computers as educational tools that enable them to acquire the skills and access the information that they need in today’s day and age,” said Samir Al-Schamma, Intel’s GM for the GCC. “It is very encouraging to see that technology in education is such a focus in the Kingdom.”
The “ease of use,” “freedom” and “flexibility” that laptops provide also proved to be popular with Saudi consumers. A massive 83 percent of respondents identified the increased flexibility provided by notebook PCs in how, where and when to access the Internet as a key benefit.
The study also showed that technology has become very much a part of the fabric of life within the Kingdom as 49 percent of respondents said that they use their laptop every day. Just four percent said they used their computer once a week or less. When asked to comment on the benefits of using a laptop, respondents gave a clear answer — portability/mobility (72 percent).
