Mobile network companies are helping smaller and inexpensive netbooks to outpace the growth of rest of the PC market in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region.
As per the statement given by research firm, IDC, ultra-small and ultra cheap laptops are outpacing the growth of the remaining PC market in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region and the momentum is likely to continue in 2009, as reported by ITProPortal.
A total of 3.6 Million netbooks were sold in Q4 2008, accounting for 30% of consumer portable sales and 20% of total laptop sales during the period. In other words, netbook market represented nearly two-third of the total business laptop market in terms of volume. Owing to corresponding market shares of 30.3% and 28%, Acer and Asus managed to retain their positions of leading netbook vendors.
The prime reason behind the growth of these mini-notebooks is that mobile network companies are making netbooks increasingly popular by offering "free" laptops bundles to attract customers for subscribing wireless broadband packages. Netbooks were much sought-after products in 2008's Christmas season, representing over four-fifths of the total units sold in the Western Europe.
The main factor that makes netbooks sales in EMEA different from those sold in the US is the carrier subsidy. As these portable devices are already inexpensive, subsidies have made their purchases even easier.
Furthermore, the adoption of non-Windows operating systems, particularly Linux, is stronger in EMEA than the US. Antitrust problems associated with Microsoft are feeding anti-Microsoft sentiments in Europe which provide an excellent opportunity for the rivals to push-up the sales of non-Windows operating systems.
According to IDC, the growth trajectory is expected to remain high this year, with the touch-screen models appearing later in 2009. Moreover, the sales will be propelled by the launch of Windows 7. AMD and ARM are likely to mark their entry into the bandwagon; thereby, intensifying the market competition.
According to a Research Analyst at RNCOS, "The netbook market will continue to dominate the growth pace of the costly and large-screen models. The migration to the 10 inch screens will continue and is likely to dominate the total market in 2009. Later this year, the first convertible touch-screen models may be launched in the market. Improving specifications, wider screens and integrated 3G services will add-on to the attractions of the netbooks and will make them enticing for businesses also."
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