Netbooks save PC industry from total collapse

3 Sep 2009

Low-cost netbooks offer the PC industry the only glimmer of hope in 2009, a new analyst report claims.

The PC industry in 2009, with a 6pc decline, is undergoing its most severe downturn since the beginning of the millennium, following the post-Y2K crash.

The nascent netbook market, up 87pc in 2009, will offer the only positive signs in a PC market blighted by the impact of recession, according to Strategy Analytics’ new Wireless Enterprise Strategies service report, “Global PC Forecast and Analysis by Region and Sales Channel 2008-2013.”

While more mature markets are seeing slowing growth, new devices like netbooks, selling through new channels, like mobile operators, are emerging to offer renewed hope to OEMs faced with plummeting profits.

“While the PC market is clearly suffering from lower levels of consumer spending and postponed PC rollouts among businesses, mobility remains its one positive area,” Andrew Brown, dANairector Wireless Enterprise Strategies and author of the report explained.

“Traditional IT channels such as PC dealers and value-added resellers are suffering from the slowdown, while new channels – such as mobile operator stores, subsidizing netbooks combined with a mobile broadband dataplan – are expected to see exceptional growth and sell-through volume of just under 10 million units globally this year,” Brown said.

By John Kennedy

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com