Portable PC Shipments to Grow to 215 Million Units in 2010: DisplaySearch

For 2010, the total portable PC market is expected to grow to 215 million units and $117 billion, according to DisplaySearch`s latest notebook PC shipment and forecast report.

The major player in display market research and consulting said that dramatic increases in the size of the slate-style PC market are expected to be driven by the Apple iPad and slates from other PC brands that are expected to be launched this year.

DisplaySearch expects slates to take some market share from clamshell-style netbooks (mini-note PCs), as well as lure customers that desire more functionality away from the e-reader market. The company also foresees the majority of slate volume to ship into the North American and Western European markets due, in large part, to Apple`s distribution plans and known content agreements.

The mini-note/netbook/slate category would be the fastest-growing segment of the portable PC market for 2010, DisplaySearch said, propelled in part by the introduction of slates. However, clamshell style devices would continue to grow as well. In addition, the market research firm expects continued strong growth in emerging markets and a recovery of B2B (business to business) spending in the second half of the year to lead to 25.7% year-on-year (YoY) growth as the market surges towards 215 million units.

Strong unit growth and less average selling prices (ASP) erosion in 2010 would combine to grow portable PC market revenue to almost $117 billion, recovering to 2008 levels, DisplaySearch said. Revenue growth is forecast to be strongest in the mini-note/slate category due to the introduction of higher-priced products. ASPs for mini-notes have steadily eroded from $400 down to just under $300. The Apple iPad, which we expect to represent the bulk of slate shipments in 2010, has ASPs that start at S$499 and increase to more than $800.

The low prices of clamshell-style mini-notes made these products attractive to buyers seeking a secondary or tertiary PC for the home or office, and also lowered the entry barrier for first-time PC buyers in emerging markets, the research firm explained.

Source: CENS