Demand for notebook PCBs still remains weak in the fourth quarter of 2012 despite the launch of Windows 8, making 2012 a year in which total sales of notebook PCBs will be lower than those shipped in 2011, according to industry sources.
Weak demand in the end market combined the roll-out of tablets by vendors have constrained demand for notebook PCBs, the sources indicated.
Norman Shu, president of HannStar Board, noted that demand for notebook boards appeared to have reached its peak in the second quarter of 2012, which came earlier than the previous peak seasons that fell in the third quarter of recent years.
Furthermore, the launch of Windows 8 has also failed to stir up demand for notebook related products, Shu added.
HannStar is expected to see its share in the notebook PCB market decline to below 40% in 2012 compared to 40-45% previously, according to an industry estimate.
HannStar has paid more attention to the development of PCBs for servers and network equipment, and expects revenues generated from server and networking boards to climb higher in 2013 compared to 12% recorded in the first half of 2012, according to the company.
Fellow company Tripod Technology, which generates 20-30% of its revenues from sales of PC related boards, also reported weak sales of PCBs for DRAM module and HDD applications in the ongoing quarter, while demand for server and in-car display boards as well as for HDI boards still remains steady.
Article translated by Steve Shen