Mini notebook 'surge' for Asia–Pacific

Shipments of mini-notebooks in Asia–Pacific will reach four million units in 2009, growing by 82% over 2008, according to Gartner.

Growth will stabilise at 20% or more in 2010 and 2011, when mini-notebooks will account for more than 14% 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 such as Facebook," said Lillian Tay, principal research analyst at Gartner.

“The falling cost of mobile broadband as well as continued rollout of third-generation (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.”

Gartner expects growth in shipments to the more mature IT markets such as Australia, Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore and to major cites in emerging countries such as China, the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.

In Hong Kong, mini-notebooks will account for 24.5% of all mobile PC shipments in 2009 and will take a 25.7% share by 2011.

“Space saving and light weight are important attributes of the mini-notebook that appeal to buyers in Hong Kong,” said Tracy Tsai, senior research analyst at Gartner.

“Good Wi-Fi and 3G infrastructure and coverage, combined with low price, support devices that can keep users constantly connected."

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

All major PC players — including Toshiba, HP, Lenovo, Dell, Samsung and Fujitsu Siemens — entered the mini-notebook market in the second half of 2008, so buyers now have much more choice. These vendors are primed to recapture the market from pioneers such as Asus and Acer. The mini-notebook market will soon become saturated with vendors, models and price points, Gartner predicts.

From 2010, Gartner expects the mini-notebook market to stabilise and carve out a sustaining segment, especially in the 8.9 to 10" screen size.

Threats such as the falling average selling price of standard notebooks and ultraportables will put more pressure on the price and weight of mini-notebooks.