Since demand for notebooks in the third quarter has already been seriously impacted by Apple products and the weak global economy, the sources believe the downturn may persist into the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, even if Intel launches its new Ivy Bridge processors in April 2012, since hardware specifications are no longer the priority consideration for consumers when pick new notebook models, upgraded ultrabooks may still find it difficult to attract consumers.
Notebook replacement boom not expected until second half of 2012
Posted on Wednesday, September 21 2011 @ 13:00 CEST by Thomas De MaesschalckTaiwanese PC makers told DigiTimes that a global large-scale replacement of laptops is unlikely to occur until the second half of 2012. Negative factors include the poor economy and strong competition from Apple's iPad, but the launch of Intel's Ivy Bridge and Microsoft's Windows 8 should play a key role in the market next year.
