Sub-notebooks making PC market stronger

The rise of the ultra-portable notebook computer that is all the rage today is making the worldwide PC market bullish. The latest major computer manufacturer to join the sub-notebook bandwagon is Acer which earlier this month launched the Aspire “one” during the annual Computex tradeshow in Taiwan.

The Aspire one is Acer’s first all-new communication device that pits itself against earlier released sub-notebooks like the Asus Eee PC 900 and the HP 2133 Mini Note. Its starting price is being pegged at $379 (P16,865 at $1:P44.50), which will make it the most affordable brand in its class.

Because portable PCs generally cost more than desktops, this exciting new segment of the PC market is helping offset falling average prices of PCs in the global market.

As a result, IDC projects the total value of PC shipments this year to grow by 9.6 percent to more than $286 billion. Shipment value will continue to grow by five to six percent annually from 2009 through 2012, reaching nearly $354 billion by 2012.

These numbers are from the latest IDC Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker report which also forecasts the volume of worldwide PC shipments this year to grow by 15.2 percent to reach 310 million units, with growth to remain in double digits through 2010, followed by high single-digit growth through 2012, boosting annual shipments to over 472 million in 2012.

The latest forecast increases 2008 unit growth from 12.8 percent in IDC’s March forecast. The increase is due to a revised outlook for portable PCs in which IDC expects a longer run of elevated portable PC growth than in earlier projections.

Key factors driving the continuing strength of portable shipments even in the face of economic pressure are a greater emphasis on replacing desktops with portables and the emergence of ultra low-cost notebook PCs, such as the Eee PC from Asus, HP 2133 Mini Note, systems built on the Classmate PC platform by Intel, and the XO from the One Laptop Per Child initiative, plus the newly introduced Acer Aspire one.

Ultra-portable computers were previously excluded from the PC market’s profile due to their use of non-traditional PC designs, including the use of embedded or custom operating systems, reduced processing power and storage, and questions about actual production volumes versus declared targets.

But they are now included in the count after the latest versions of these systems have proven to be more robust, meeting IDC’s criteria to be considered PCs, as their actual shipment volumes continue to rise.

“Even as the PC market grapples with slower growth in more developed markets, adoption cycles for new operating systems, processors, and other components, and convergence of media and devices, the success of portable PCs continues to drive the market,” said Loren Loverde, director of IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker.

“Despite recent economic pressure, the consistent gains fueled by portable PC adoption, falling prices, and new users — particularly in emerging regions — will continue to drive growth,” she added.

Aspire one

The Aspire one is powered by an Intel Atom processor, runs either on Linpus Linux Lite or Windows XP Home, and comes with 512MB or 1GB of RAM memory installed.

It also comes pre-installed with additional software such as OpenOffice 2.3, one Mail, Messenger, Acer eRecovery Management, Acer Launch Manager, Adobe Reader, McAfee Internet Security Suite, and Microsoft Office Trial 2007.

The Aspire one’s small size — 9.8 x 6.7 x 1.14 inches — results in a device that weighs just about two pounds but is packed with features many have come to expect in most full desktop or notebook computers today.

Aspire one has a 95 percent full-sized keyboard for more natural and easier typing, an 8.9” CrystalBrite LED backlit display that supports 1024x600 Web resolution, an integrated Acer CrystalEye webcam, a five-card reader, a built-in 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, and a six-hour battery, among others.

For data storage, Aspire one makes use of either an 8GB flash storage or an 80GB hard drive. In addition, Aspire one features the Smart File Manager that automatically merges extra storage from any SD card inserted in the second SD card slot into the memory available to the user.

Units are expected to be widely available in the next quarter and will initially be in two colors — sapphire blue and seashell white. Later, Aspire one will be available, too, in shades of golden brown and coral pink.