Laptop sales to outpace desktops by 2009

Sales of laptop computers will soon outpace global sales of desktop computers due to high demand from a more mobile workforce, a top regional executive of Intel Corporation said Friday.


Debjani Ghosh, sales and marketing director of Intel South East Asia, said notebook computer sales grew at a slow pace from 21 percent of global computer sales in 2001 to 22 percent a year later.


She said advancements in technology, including the launch of the Intel Centrino 1 microprocessor technology in 2003, led to a rise of laptop sales from 25 percent in 2003 to 41 percent in 2007.


She said she expects notebook sales to increase to 48 percent this year and go up to 53 percent next year, outpacing desktop sales. By 2011, laptop sales will increase even further to 59 percent of total computer sales, Ghosh said.


She said that in the Philippines, notebook sales comprise about 30 percent of total computer sales for 2007.

"Desktop sales still comprise about 70 percent of total computer sales in the Philippines but we see the crossover to more laptop sales by 2011. Singapore and some countries in the Asia-Pacific and Europe have already crossed over and are selling more notebook computers," she told abs-cbnNEWS.com.


Ricky Banaag, Intel Philippines country manager, said the release of more powerful microprocessors has effectively changed lifestyle trends of computer users.

Eight years ago, Internet users only numbered 360 million, telecommuting was still in its infancy and online music sales were still unheard of. As of January this year, the Internet worldwide population has risen to an estimated 1.4 billion, more people are buying music online than in record stores and telecommuting is now accepted business practice.


He said the increase in high definition Internet video and online games is fuelling the demand for better, faster and more energy efficient computers.


Banaag said the launch of Intel Centrino 2 processor technology and Intel Centrino 2 with vPro Technology enables security and manageability for large and small businesses. Centrino 2 includes a raft of new technologies including a handful of new Core 2 Duo processors; a new chipset with a faster front-side bus; a new graphics solution with support for high-definition content and switchable graphics; and updated wireless and wired connectivity.


He said the new processors ensure faster overall performance, more flexible graphics, enhanced network connections. Major computer makers Lenovo Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Neo and Toshiba all use the latest Intel processors.