Thursday, July 16, 2009

Netbooks Still Booming, 32.7M Shipped So Far This Year

Netbooks are selling like hotcakes as notebooks falter

The popularity of netbooks is continuing to have a profound effect on the fortunes of many computer makers. One company that is taking full advantage of the popularity of netbooks is Acer. Acer is set to overtake Dell as the second largest shipper of computers behind HP thanks to the popularity of Acer netbooks globally.

Research firm DisplaySearch announced this week that computer makers are expected to ship 32.7 million netbooks this year, an increase of 99.1% compared to last year. Shipments of notebook computers will reach 129.5 million units, a scant tenth of a percent under the 129.6 million units shipped last year.

When netbooks are taken into account, overall shipments of notebooks will rise by 11.1% compared to 2008. Netbooks are particularly popular in emerging markets like Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The EMEA region will count for 40% of all netbook shipments this year. The adoption and shipment of netbooks is the lowest in developed areas like the United States.

DisplaySearch says that netbooks will continue to be a significant portion of the notebook markets shipments through this year and beyond. The growth of netbooks is also being fueled by the glut of larger screen netbooks hitting the market with sizes from 10.1-inches up to 12.1-inches.

DisplaySearch's John F. Jacobs said in a statement, "It is clear that buyers want a lightweight device, but that they also want a bigger display. While these devices have certainly created a new market, our research indicates that they are predominantly used as secondary PCs by consumers, and are not replacing notebooks."

No comments:

Post a Comment