The physical limitations of parallel bus technology are now the principal constraint on computer performance. However, towards the end of 2004, the first of the new generation of PCs incorporating the latest high-performance serial buses will come into use. The new buses will enable PCs to be more compact, powerful and cost-effective. What is more, the ramifications of these changes are extending beyond the confines of the PC into the embedded system market where some of the latest telecoms systems are already using the new serial buses to great effect.