Coordinating with Intel and Microsoft's 2-in-1 concept, Taiwan-based ODMs have been persuading their notebook brand clients to release convertible models instead of conventional ones hoping the strategy will help stop the notebook industry's declining shipments, according to sources from the ODMs.
Since convertible notebooks are not difficult to produce, but are able to help raise ASPs, pushing convertible notebooks will benefit ODMs in terms of profitability; however, consumers' weak response to convertible models is the biggest issue currently, and brand vendors will need to be more aggressive about promotions, the sources noted.
Commenting on convertible notebooks, Wistron chairman Simon Lin said that technology is not the problem, and the only problem is whether the new devices can satisfy consumer demand. Since most consumers need to carry more than one IT product with them most of the time, if a device allows consumers to carry 1-2 IT products less, the device is bound to have strong potential.
Most ODMs are capable of producing convertible notebook products, Quanta has a handheld device business, Compal Electronics has Compal Communications, Wistron also has a handset business, and Inventec has Inventec Appliances to help provide needed resources for production.
Article translated by Joseph Tsai
