Notebook sales take lions' share of US market

Peter Dinham
Sunday, 02 August 2009 13:57

Business IT - Technology

Daoud said a third factor helping the consumer notebook market maintain momentum is the emergence of the mininotebook or netbook form factor.

“This is a product that is designed for maximum mobility at a fraction of the standard notebook price. Finally, the proliferation of activity in the consumer notebook market has led to the emergence of new channels, in particular the telecom carriers, who are now playing a critical role in the distribution of netbooks to their own customers in an effort to bundle new services or even as an incentive to sign up new customers.”

IDC reports that, with the desktop market severely cannibalised by laptops and relegated to niche markets, the US mobile ratio, or the share of notebooks in total PC shipments, has reached the 58.9% mark in 2Q09.

The research company also reveals that, within the consumer market alone, that ratio is now 74.6%, up from 69% in the previous quarter and 62% in the year-ago quarter.

"With this type of performance, vendors will have to focus their attention on consumer segmentation and understanding user behavior so as to design products that meet the needs of specific demographics.

"Vendors will also have to articulate more compelling strategies to market accessories, peripherals, software, and other products and services that enhance the consumer experience," Daoud suggests.