IDC has predicted that the surge of
laptop sales will come to a halt this year. The research and market data providing company believes that the economic downturn will impact on the popularity of the
portable PCs, with sales expected to dry up by the end of this year. During 2009, IDC predict that laptop sales will fall by five per cent, despite the forecast of decreasing average selling prices.
Indeed, the
netbook market is predicted to continue expanding, with the dramatic rise in their popularity forecast to drive a 7.5 per cent growth in the sales of
portable computers this year. However, that figure is significantly less than the growth seen in the portable market last year, which stood at 40 per cent year on year.
Ezster Morvay, research manager at IDC, warned that average selling prices and revenues were likely to be affected by the slowdown in spending. She said, ‘Spending will slow in the business and the consumer space. In terms of portable
PCs, the mini
notebook segment will double so naturally that will lower overall ASPs.’ As a result, Mrs Morvay suggested that
PC manufacturers may shift their attentions to the lower price, but lower margin,
netbook market.