The global notebook sales exceeded desktop sales during the third quarter of 2008, thanks to strong demand for netbooks and small screen notebooks.
According to a research conducted by iSuppli, the global notebook sales surpassed desktop sales for the first time in history during Q3 2008, as reported by electronista.
The total notebook shipments during Q3 2008 surged nearly 40% to 38.6 Million devices whereas desktop shipments tumbled 1.3% to 38.5 Million. Despite gloomy economic conditions on account of the global recession, a 12.5%-13% yearly growth has been projected for PC units. The combined shipments of computers (notebooks and desktops) moved up 15.4% in Q3 2008 to 77 Million.
Increased sales of smaller display notebooks (in the range of nine inches) and high demand for netbooks with compact drove up notebook sales over desktop sales. Besides, the global PC shipments scaled up significantly though the world economy was growing slowly. Notebook sales kept the global PC industry on track and prevented it from recession in 2008. Despite negative news like “ECONOMY HIT PC SALEs in the US”, notebook sales continue to rise, and boosted the overall PC sales.
Furthermore, lower priced netbooks fueled growth into notebook industry as the total count of netbooks along with full-fledge notebooks raised the figures of non-desktop sales. Although notebook prices have come down, but they have not declined to a level to compete with netbooks. On the other side, netbooks are specially designed for low income people who can afford them.
However, it is believed that the notebook demand is sagging primarily because of weak demand from corporate houses, and local consumer demand has slipped under gloomy economy. While the demand for mini-notebook is still very strong, it is yet not sufficient to drive the overall PC sales.
According to a Research Analyst at RNCOS, “Netbooks represent a new section in the PC market and traders believe that they will inflate the sales of PCs due to their low prices. The demand is expected to rise in coming years owing to a number of sources such as secondary notebook PC and early adopters, and new PC users in emerging markets.”
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