Chicago (IL) – It is no secret that notebooks are driving PC sales these days, but first quarter numbers may have even surprised the most optimistic analysts. With the exception of Sony, all large notebook manufacturers achieved double-digit growth year-over-year. Dell is back in #2 and Apple has climbed to #7.

Overall notebook unit sales were 31.1 million in the first quarter of this year, up 35% from 23.1 million in the Q1 2007, Displaysearch said. The world’s nine largest vendors now account for more than 85% market share and an average annual unit growth rate of 39%.

HP remained in the lead with 6.46 million sold notebooks, a market share of 20.8% and 40% annual growth. Dell came in second with a 15.1% share (45% growth), followed by Acer with a 14.6% share (33% growth). Apple has improved its position to #7, growing its sales by 61% to 1.4 million units. The company was outpaced by EeePC manufacturer Asus, which increased its shipments by an astonishing 67% to 1.3 million units and is ranked #8, just behind Apple. Lenovo (#5) also had a good quarter, growing its unit sales by 58%.

Companies that grew slower than the industry average included Toshiba (#4, +21%), Fujitsu-Siemens (#6, +26%) and Sony (#9, +3%). One year ago, Sony was ranked at #6 and has been surpassed by Fujitsu-Siemens, Apple and Asus.  

laptops are the new desktops

Jun 19, 2008 04:38     

My laptop is a desktop replacement for me these days. So I'm not surprised with this growth. I believe Acer is huge in europe, they really have the budget market cleaned up as their prices are so cheap. Now if the laptop is the new desktop that would make the EeePC and other umpc's the new "laptop". The EeePC was a great move by ASUS.
Steve report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

notebook computers....

Jun 19, 2008 12:59     

...are good enough, these days. I have a t61p from lenovo, and I can play crysis on a plane with it.
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Desktop Disgracements?

Jun 19, 2008 14:37     

Yeah...I still say people that don't need a notebook for portability should just get a desktop. It's cheaper, lasts longer, and has more power than a notebook. ;P
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easier to setup

Jun 19, 2008 14:51     

Notebook computers are easier to setup. There is nothing to attach or hook up. One just opens it up and use it and one can use it (almost) any where. It has connectors but one does not have to connect the monitor or the keyboard or a mouse to get it running. Notebook computers also come in a variety of sizes and brands. Some even come with an os other than Windows. :)
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New laptop owners will be smart pc users

Jun 19, 2008 23:32     

I just upgraded from p4 3ghz desktop to a laptop with T8100 and very impressed with power difference. benchmarks say it is even better than amd x2 4800 desktop range that means really well computing power comes into mobility.
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easy to hookup

Jun 19, 2008 23:50     

how easy you wanted it to be? a desk top has color coded cables....and keyboard and mouse are wireless... I do have 2 notebooks at home for running around the house..but when I need serious work done, I need my dual 22" LCD monitor to work from home... laptop just won't cut it even with my 17" widescreen heavy laptop...don't even mention my 13" dell xps 1330..good for browsing but not for work. as for gaming..it's either on the concole ps3 or on the desktop...you have to pay through the roof to get a decient laptop to play game.

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Easier not Easy

Jun 20, 2008 10:49     

I said it was easier since the only cable one connects is the power connector. With some desktops with color coding, it is easy to setup. With notebook computers, there isn't a need for color coded cables; therefore, it is easier to setup. One just hast to open it up and use. :)
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Business Purchases stiil drive Laptop Sales

Oct 03, 2008 12:49     

These numbers are not surprising. As we consumers walk through the aisles, we see a huge variety of consumer Laptops. This is only the tip of the iceberg. When the companies of the world buy computers, they tend to focus on laptops over stationary PCs now. It gives the worker mobility and extends many to work from home. I haven't had a corporate desktop computer in 10 years, and in the many customers I see, they are losing their office desktops too. SO, when I see the top 6 as HP, Dell, Acer,Toshiba, Lenovo, and Fujitsu ; I am not surprised...all are the vendors of choice for the business buyers, who vastly outnumber the personal laptop buyers. Apple is not the laptop of choice for the Fortune 5000 company, unless they are in graphics.

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