Netbook
PC manufacturer Asustek has revealed intentions to become the world’s third largest
laptop vendor by 2011. Asustek is currently the fifth largest
computer vendor in the world, having pioneered the hugely popular low cost
netbook PC in 2007. With rival brands entering into the low cost laptop market, Asustek has begun to lose market share.
Despite making a fourth quarter loss last year, Asustek has announced plans to launch five new
laptops based on Intel’s consumer ultra-low voltage chip (CULV) this year, as part of its strategy to increase market share. Asustek’s Chief Executive Jerry Shen revealed the company hopes to be able to expand its current market share of 5 per cent to as much as 10 per cent in the next couple of years.
Shen was equally positive about Asustek’s prospects of growth in China, where he said he expects the company to be on a par with second ranked
Hewlett Packard in terms of market share next year. Asustek are currently joint in fifth place in China with
notebook manufacturer
Acer, according to figures from IDC.
Asustek’s fourth quarter loss last year can be attributed to a cutback in consumer spending in Europe, though the company will have now adjusted for the increased demand for netbook
PCs in America.