First-quarter sales of notebook computers have increased 28pc year on year, according to the latest figures from IDC. Worldwide PC shipments, including notebooks, desktops and servers, are projected to rise 12.2pc in 2007 to 256.7 million.
Total shipments are now projected to reach 284 million in 2008 and 356.7 million in 2011.
Despite the improved outlook for notebooks and overall shipments, desktop growth and volume expectations have been lowered for 2008 to 156.4 millon.
“The rate of portable PC adoption continues at a surprising pace and is a great sign of market strength,” said Loren Loverde, director of IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker.
“While the strong first quarter and improved outlook for 2007 coincide with the release of Vista, aggressive competition for the low-cost portables market seems to be the primary driver.
“It’s clear that there was a change in momentum with the New Year and some of that must be attributed to the launch of Vista.
“However, slow desktop demand and a conservative outlook for commercial upgrades reinforce our view that future replacements and Vista adoption will be spread over several years and not concentrated in 2008 and 2009,” Loverde added.
By John Kennedy
