Thailand Leads In Mini Notebook Sales

[george]

Thailand leads region with huge growth in mini-notebook sales

BANGKOK: -- Thailand ranks first in the mini-notebook market in South East Asia with 168,000 units in 2009, with demand high in major cities.

A report from Gartner identified Thailand as one of the emerging markets, along with China, the Philippines and Indonesia, where Mini Notebooks have seen a significant growth in shipments with from 2008 - about 42.3%.

The report also indicated that mini-notebooks in Thailand will account for 15.6% of all mobile PC shipments in 2009. Demand is still centered in major cities; however, vendors are finding other ways to stimulate demand, especially from the student segment.

Gartner also expects significant growth in more mature IT markets in the Asia-Pacific region, such as Australia, Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore.

Shipments of mini-notebooks are expected to surge 82 percent in Asia-Pacific, compared to one percent growth for standard notebooks. Gartner estimates total shipments of mini-notebooks in the region will reach four million units in 2009. Growth will stabilise at 20 percent or more in 2010 and 2011, when mini-notebooks will account for more than 14 per cent of all mobile PCs shipped.

The mini-notebook is a great tool for casual and entry-level computing, especially among younger users who are obsessed with social networking sites," said Lillian Tay, principal research analyst at Gartner.

"The falling cost of mobile broadband as well as continued rollout of 3G services and coverage in countries such as China will encourage more desk-based PC users to switch to mobile replacements, as well as stimulating purchases of mini-notebooks as second PCs."

Tracy Tsai, senior research analyst at Gartner, added: "Due to their small size and low price, PC vendors have begun to find some traction for mini-notebooks in the transportation, logistics, repair and servicing, manufacturing, and healthcare markets.

"A further attraction is the ability for users to create or run custom applications quickly and inexpensively, unlike handheld devices."

The economic downturn could also drive demand for mini-notebooks in 2009. Their low cost may lead buyers toextend the lifecycle of their standard notebooks and consider a mini-notebook as an additional device for on-the-road Web surfing and entertainment.

From 2010, Gartner expects the mini-notebook market to stabilise and find a sustaining segment, especially in the 8.9-inch to 10-inch "sweet spot" screen size. Threats such as the falling average selling price of standard notebooks and ultra portables will put more pressure on the price and weight of models.

-- Bangkok Post 2009-05-13

[webfact]

The topic should read "Thailand the HUB for Mini Notebook Sales"