2009 Netbook Shipments to Double 2008 Numbers, Says Report

Netbook shipments for 2009 are expected to be double those of 2009, according to a new report. Going forward, however, netbook shipments are expected to slow while competition increases, thanks, in part, to Apple and Nokia.

Netbook shipments in 2009 are expected to fully double over 2008 shipmentnumbers, according to a Nov. 26 report from research firm Research and Markets. Going forward, however, the firm anticipates that netbook PC growth momentumwill slow. Additionally, as the prices of netbooks continue to fall, "netbookPC maker's profit margins are expected to be affected," states the report.

Thefindings echo those of Gartner, which in a Nov. 23 report stated that whileoverall PC shipments rose in the fourth quarter-thanks to demand for mobile PCs-marketvalue fell, due to an unprecedented declind in PC average selling prices. Research and Markets pointed to the pursuit of new opportunities as necessaryroutes toward continued growth.

"In order to expand netbook PC market coverage, other than increasing productdifferentiation to stimulate demand in the existing mature consumer markets," states the report, "PC companies also aim to seek new market opportunities inthe education, commercial and emerging market segments, as well as newdistribution channels and new offerings."

PCmaker Dell, for example, has shown itself to be on this path, with theintroduction this year of PCs geared toward specific enterprise verticals. The Latitude XT2 XFR is a rugged convertible tablet for military, fiedservice, factory-fulfillment and other physically demanding environments, whileDell'sLatitude 2100 netbook is geared toward student users in K-12 classrooms
The Research and Markets study added, "The entrance of new competitors such asNokia and Apple is expected to intensify competition."

On Oct. 13, Nokia introduced theBooklet 3G, the first true PC for the phone maker, which is slated toarrive in time for the holidays.

Apple is said to have a tablet PC in the works, though it has yet to confirmthis. Therumor was given new legs in October, when an editor at The New York Timescasually mentioned an "Apple slate" during a talk at TheTimesCenter.
The Gartner repor likewise concluded that netbook growth is expected to slowgoing forward, as netbooks face increased competition from other low-cost PCs,as well as other from factors.


By: Michelle Maisto, http://mobile.eweek.com