When Intel announced ultrabooks a year ago, the chip maker predicted that these thin and light laptops would account for 40% of the consumer market by the end of 2012. But according to Gartner, ultrabooks have hardly made a dent in the now-stagnant PC market.
Overall, PC sales in the second quarter of 2012 fell by 0.1% year-over-year. US computer makers HP and Dell took the biggest hit, with shipments dropping by 12.1% and 11.5%, respectively. Asian PC makers Lenovo, Acer and Asus fared better, but not enough to pick up the slack.
Although Gartner did not offer any specific figures for ultrabook sales, the firm described shipment volumes as small and having little impact on overall shipment growth.
This segment is still in an early adopters stage, Gartner analyst Mikako Kitagawa said.
It is no surprise that the first wave of ultrabooks has not saved the PC market from slumping sales. Early models were expensive, with the best ultrabooks priced well over $1,000 (€813), and the cheapest ones priced around $900 (€732).
Bearing in mind that Apple traditionally dominates the premium PC market, in 2009, the company had 91% market share for PCs priced at more than $1,000, according to NPD. With expensive ultrabooks, PC makers were trying to take some of that lucrative market, however, it has not gone according to plan. Cheaper ultrabooks are hitting the market, with starting prices between $600 and $800. Vizio is also about to enter the PC business with sub-$1,000 ultrabooks whose specs rival the MacBook Air at much lower prices.
And of course, the October launch of Windows 8 will bring a new line-up of ultrabook-tablet hybrids. It is possible that many PC buyers are waiting for Windows 8, especially the early adopters who might otherwise be buying ultrabooks.
For ultrabooks to take off, they simply need to account for a larger swath of the Windows PC market. Intel might get closer to its 40% market share estimate when thin, light, power-efficient PCs are the norm, not just a privilege for the upper crust of consumers.
IDG News Service
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