Intel's financial performance for the third quarter of 2012 reflects a stagnant global notebook market mainly due to fast growing demand for tablets and smartphones, and because Apple, Microsoft and Google will launch new tablets later in the fourth quarter. Weak demand for notebooks is expected to persist until the first quarter of 2013, according to Taiwan-based notebook supply chain makers.
Sources from PC player also pointed out that Hewlett-Packard's (HP) significant losses from May-July are an indication that the strong demand for tablets and smartphones is gradually impacting that for PC products.
With several other notebook players including Acer and Dell also suffering weak performances during the traditional peak season in the third quarter, while Intel is expected to turn conservative about its shipment strategy for the fourth quarter, the sources are concerned that performance of the upstream supply chain will also be affected.
As Apple is expected to release its entry-level iPad mini at the end of October, while Microsoft will release its Surface RT tablet later in the month, the sources pointed out that most consumers are currently taking a wait-and-see attitude, and once these devices are released into the retail channel, they are expected to further weaken the traditional PC industry.
Some notebook players believe that tablets and smartphones will become the star products for the year-end holidays in 2012 and the PC market is unlikely to enjoy any replacement trend for some time.
Weak demand for notebooks to remain until 1Q13
Photo: Michael Lee, Digitimes file photo
Article translated by Joseph Tsai
