Compaq makes a black mark on IBM's notebook

The capacity is pre-installed into IBM machines, and Compaq claims customers who have no need for the facility still have to pay for it.

Steve Gales, portables product marketing manager for Compaq, said: "The take up of wireless LAN technology is still in its early days, with less than five per cent of users wanting it. To make all notebook customers have it is to burden them with costs they don't want."

He said Compaq offers users the choice of whether or not to have wireless LAN technology added to their notebook.

An IBM spokesman dismissed Compaq's claim, saying it too offered customers the choice of using the technology.