Laptop makers to focus on cost-saving measures

DigiTimes reports brands vendors and ODMs (original design manufacturers) of laptops will focus on cost-saving and expanding into new, non-PC markets in 2016. Among other things, the vendors and ODMs will shift away from Taiwanese partners to adopt more China-based components and services. Furthermore, the firms are expected to make a big push into the Internet of Things market to boost non-PC income.

Many players are looking to expand into the cloud and IoT sectors, but most of them are unlikely to achieve any significant results in 2016 since the IoT sector's outlook remains unclear, the sources noted.

As the IoT market has yet to become stable enough, notebook players will still have to work hard for their core business. They are expected to focus on upgrading their notebooks' industrial designs to achieve thinner and lighter form factors, the sources said.

However, the sources expect gaming notebooks and 2-in-1 devices to continue enjoy strong demand and will attract more competitors to the segments.