Tighs supply of 8.9-inch LCD panels in second half of the year

Asustek Computer and Hewlett Packard (HP) have introduced 8.9-inch low-cost notebooks, while Acer and Dell are expected to follow suit soon.

Currently, only Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT) and AU Optronics (AUO) have launched 8.9-inch panels for low-cost applications. Samsung Electronics, Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO), LG Display (LGD), and HannStar Display are also expected to roll out 8.9-inch models for low-cost notebooks soon.

According to the sources, Samsung will start volume production for the segment in the second quarter, while CMO and LGD will do so in the third quarter. HannStar has scheduled volume production for June, and samples have been delivered to clients.

The sources estimate shipments of Asustek's 8.9-inch low-cost notebooks will reach three million units this year. Acer has set a goal of five million units for its 8.9-inch low-cost notebooks for the year, while Dell and HP aim to ship 3-3.5 million units each in 2008, the sources added.

As for LCD panel makers' capacity for the segment, CPT will have a total of one million units this year, LGD two million units, CMO 3-4 million units, Samsung 3.5 million units, and AUO four million units, the sources estimate.