TAIPEI – Global shipments of notebook computers fell 4.2 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2017, according to Taiwan-based Digitimes Research. Just 40.79 million notebooks were shipped in the quarter, Digitimes says.
Weakening demand in the consumer sector worldwide and a corporate reorganisation at Asustek offset gains resulting from better-than-expected Chromebook sales and brisk sales of gaming models in China, Digitimes Research says.
However the research firm says shipments should get a boost in Q4, fuelled by year-end holiday sales globally and China’s “Double Eleven” online shopping day.
It also notes that Google is gearing up efforts to promote Chromebooks in the consumer market, while Microsoft and other brands are currently promoting notebook sales, including leasing, in the business sector.
The market research group estimates that global notebook shipments will reach 41.72 million units in Q4, up 2.3pc on quarter and 0.5pc from a year earlier. “The slow pace of the shipment growth for the fourth quarter indicates that the current rebound in the notebook market is coming to an end,” Digitimes says.
It expects HP to retain its No. 1 market position, followed by Lenovo, where shipments are resuming momentum after a recent management reshuffle.
Dell and Apple will fill the No 3 and 4 spots, while Asus is tipped to overtake Acer for fifth place.
